Event Brief
Lakeland Man Arrested in Repeated Walmart Thefts
By The BriefBrief · Sources (1)
Filed: Sep 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
Summary: A 74-year-old Lakeland man, Saad Abouelala, was arrested on active felony warrants tied to repeated retail thefts at two Polk County Walmart locations. Authorities say a deputy spotted him driving a silver 2016 Kia Sorento on Fitzgerald Road on Sept. 9, then stopped the vehicle near Francis Pipkin Road and Emerald Cove Loop without incident.
WHO: Saad Abouelala, 74-year-old Lakeland man; Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies
WHAT: Arrested on felony warrants charging multiple retail thefts (second-degree) and defrauding to obtain property (third-degree) linked to alleged Walmart thefts across 11 dates.
WHEN: Sep 9, 2026
WHERE: Lakeland, Florida
WHY: Authorities allege Abouelala targeted two separate Polk County Walmart locations across 11 dates, leading to felony warrants for the alleged thefts and defrauding to obtain property.
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