A teen suspect and his stepfather are facing multiple charges after a series of car burglaries and gun thefts were uncovered in Polk County, Florida. The investigation began in September 2024, when a series of car break-ins were reported in the Hamlet Circle area of Lakeland. The burglaries involved stolen items, including a wallet, firearms, and various personal belongings. Surveillance footage from October linked 17-year-old Ronetae Degraffenreid to the thefts, showing him wearing gloves and a mask while attempting to break into vehicles.
On October 31st, deputies responded to a call about a suspect fitting the same description seen attempting to break into cars. A witness confronted the suspect, who threatened the witness with a firearm before fleeing the scene. When deputies arrived and began canvassing the area, they saw a black male teen matching the description walking between Hamlet Circle and Porch Court. Upon calling out to him, Degraffenreid fled, leading deputies on a short foot chase before he was captured on Britt Road.
Further investigation revealed that Ronetae’s parents had initially cooperated with deputies, but when they were informed by another victim that her car keys were missing, their stance changed. Ronetae’s stepfather, 37-year-old Anthony Pettiford, confronted the deputies aggressively, leading to a physical altercation. Pettiford was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and resisting arrest without violence.
A search warrant was executed at the family’s home, where deputies discovered a significant amount of stolen property, including three firearms, one of which had been illegally modified into a machine gun. Among the items recovered were keys from the victim who had reported her car being burglarized, a stolen Glock 23, a Smith & Wesson 38 special, a 9mm handgun, and prescription pills illegally possessed by Ronetae. Deputies also found nitrous oxide containers, a ski mask, gloves, and drug paraphernalia.
Ronetae Degraffenreid Faces Multiple Charges
Ronetae faces a range of charges, including armed burglary, unarmed burglary, possession of a machine gun, grand theft of a firearm, attempted burglary, and multiple drug-related offenses. His charges reflect the serious nature of his crimes, with several firearms, stolen property, and illegal drugs found in his possession. The discovery of the modified firearm and nitrous oxide containers linked to possible drug abuse paints a troubling picture of the teen’s involvement in illegal activities.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed his frustration with the family’s actions, stating, “This family learned the hard way that we don’t play around here in Polk County when it comes to keeping our residents safe.” He also mocked the family’s doormat, which humorously read “come back with a warrant,” suggesting they may want to reconsider their home decor now that they’ve gained the attention of law enforcement.