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Deputies arrest dangerous carjacker in Lakeland

Posted at 4:22 AM, Aug 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-29 01:53:29-04

UPDATE:

Sean McLaughlin of Lakeland was arrested for an armed carjacking at a Bonefish Grill on Sunday, August 21, 2016. McLaughlin was located around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, August 28th at a convenience store near the Bonefish Grill. A witness to the original carjacking spotted him and called police.

McLaughlin was taken into custody and charged with Armed Robbery with a Weapon, Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle, Armed Burglary with Assault/Battery, Possession of Clonazepam, and Possession of Prescription Medication without a prescription.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A dangerous carjacker is on the loose in Lakeland after an incident in Polk County on Sunday night.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says a woman was sitting in her car outside of the Bonefish Grill on W Pipkin Road when a man walked up with a chain wrapped around his hand and demanded that she get out of the car.

She got out of the car and the man took off in the Toyota Avalon.

The car was found crashed and burned just a short distance from where the car was stolen.

Deputies say they don't have much of a description to go on but for residents and motorists in the area to be aware of any suspicious activity.

The man is described as a white man, slim build, wearing a t-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap at the time.

If you know anything, give the Sheriff's Office a call at (863) 298-6200.