Police: Central Florida man arrested after stealing money, Mountain Dew, and cigars from gas station

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said they have arrested a man for robbing a gas station in Winter Haven on Saturday.

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Deputies said the robbery happened around 2:57 a.m. at a Circle K store at 4980 Spirit Lake Road near Winter Haven.

According to the arrest affidavit, 24-year-old Keith Rhoden approached a gas station employee outside the store, pointed a gun, and took him to the cash register.

After taking money from the register, police said Rodhen stole cigars and a bottle of Mountain Dew before running from the store.

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About 30 minutes later, officers arrested Rhoden around 3:20 a.m. after a foot chase through the Oak Preserve neighborhood.

According to a news release, deputies found Rhoden hiding under a truck at a residence.

Rhoden surrendered, and deputies found the stolen money, the cigars, and a handgun nearby.

“The responding patrol deputies, aided by K-9 and Aviation, handled this robbery exactly how you would want them to---this was a textbook response that resulted in a dangerous criminal being taken off of the streets very quickly,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

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Rhoden was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm, armed burglary structure, and violation of probation.

According to court records, Rhoden’s criminal history includes petit theft, resisting arrest without violence, and providing a false name to a law enforcement officer.

His probation for felony petit theft had just started on July 20.

The sheriff’s office said there were no injuries to the victim, deputies, or the suspect.

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