A late-night bicycle traffic stop in Winter Haven led to the arrest of a man who deputies say repeatedly provided false identifying information before they discovered he was wanted on an outstanding warrant.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy stopped a man who was riding a bicycle at night without lights. When asked for identification, the man claimed his name was “Tony” and provided a date of birth. Deputies were unable to locate any records matching the information.
The man then provided a different date of birth, but that information also failed to produce any results. After using additional investigative resources, deputies determined the man’s actual identity as Surujpaul Ramlogan, 50.
Once his identity was confirmed, deputies discovered he had an active warrant for Possessing Alligators Without Authority. According to court records, the warrant stems from a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation alleging that Surujpaul unlawfully kept two alligators inside his home.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that after deputies confirmed his identity and outstanding warrant, Surujpaul became uncooperative and claimed he was working for the federal government.
He was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and transported to the Polk County Jail. In addition to the warrant, he was charged with Resisting an Officer Without Violence and two counts of Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement.
