Troopers arrest man after attempting to sell downed power pole to recycling facility

On November 16, 2020, FHP Troopers responded to the report of a theft that occurred on westbound Interstate 4, near Milepost 9,

A motorist had loaded a downed power pole onto a small sedan. The motorist then traveled with the pole loaded on the roof of the vehicle to a recycling facility on Harney Road, only to be turned away for not having proper documentation for the equipment.

Just before 11:00 AM, Troopers located the motorist at North 50th Street, near State Road 60, and arrested Douglas Allen Hatley, 71, of Lakeland, Florida.

The utility pole and Hatley’s 1997 Toyota were recovered at that time.

Hatley was charged with grand theft and transported to the Hillsborough County Jail.