LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland officer was arrested on Friday after investigators said he falsely reported a crime after his vehicle was damaged, according to the police department.
In a release, police said that the officer — Michael Hayes, 42 — had reported the crime earlier that afternoon.
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More specifically, detectives said that Hayes had claimed there were three children who threw an “object” at his patrol vehicle while he was driving, shattering the back window.
“Hayes told deputies that he turned his vehicle around in an attempt to catch up to the fleeing youth, and in the process, ran over a small sign, damaging the front of his vehicle...” the release reads. “He said he drove home, then reported it, and that the incident occurred around 30 minutes prior to him calling.”
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But deputies uncovered a photo of Hayes’ vehicle that had been taken about 24 hours beforehand, which showed that the back window was already broken, police said.
When deputies discussed the discovery with Hayes, though, he said he believed that his child broke the back window with a baseball, causing Hayes to panic, as he didn’t know what to do.
“From that point forward, he could not explain the damage to the vehicle,” the release continues.
As a result of the incident, Hayes now faces a misdemeanor charge of falsely reporting a crime. He was released after posting $1,000 bond.
“Michael Hayes is a 12-year veteran of the Lakeland Police Department, most recently assigned to the Property Crimes Unit,” Lakeland Police Chief Sammy Taylor said. “Immediately after being notified of the arrest, I ordered an administrative investigation and placed Detective Hayes on administrative leave in accordance with our agency’s policies and procedures.”