A Florida man wanted for multiple felonies was arrested during a traffic stop while driving with a license that had been suspended nearly 20 years ago.
A Florida man wanted on multiple felonies was arrested during a traffic stop -- while driving with a license that had been suspended nearly 20 years ago, according to authorities.
Thomas Kenneth James (Photo: Polk Country Sheriff's Office)The Polk Country Sheriff's Office on Wednesday identified the suspect as 42-year-old Thomas Kenneth James, of Lake Wales.
The sheriff's office said a deputy stopped a white Ford Ranger with broken tail lights on Tuesday around 8:45 p.m.
James "immediately admitted" his license was suspended, authorities said, and a records check showed the suspension dated back to 2008.
The check also showed James was wanted on a Polk County warrant issued in 2023. The warrant charged him with armed kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and felony battery.
Authorities said James had been on the run since the warrant was issued.
"After being taken into custody, Thomas informed the deputy that he was going to flee from the traffic stop, and then he saw a second deputy's patrol vehicle pulling up to the traffic stop and decided to cooperate instead," the sheriff's office said.
James was booked into the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center on the outstanding warrant. He also was charged with driving while license suspended or revoked, which is a misdemeanor.
