LAKE WALES, Fla. – A Lake Wales man with a prior criminal record has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $16,000 in jewelry from an elderly woman, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Jason Cunningham, 48, was taken into custody without incident on July 20 after deputies located his vehicle near a residence on Candlewood Drive. He had been wanted on a warrant for Grand Theft from a Person 65 or Older, stemming from an incident that occurred in early May.
According to investigators, the victim hired Cunningham to do work at her home while she recovered from surgery. During that time, the jewelry went missing. The victim told authorities that only she and Cunningham had access to the valuables, which led detectives to suspect him.
After the incident, Cunningham reportedly kept a low profile until a deputy spotted his vehicle around 12:22 p.m. on July 20.
Authorities noted that Cunningham has a prior criminal history, including theft convictions from 2004 and 2008, as well as arrests for battery and drug possession.
He now faces charges related to grand theft and is in the custody of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
