A late-night patrol at Duff Park concluded with the arrest of an 18-year-old Lakeland woman early Saturday morning after a physical struggle with Polk County Sheriff’s officers.
The incident began around 1:51 a.m. on March 21, 2026, when a PCSO sergeant and a deputy noticed a woman on the park grounds north of Lakeland. Because the park was closed to the public at that time, the officers approached the individual and asked why she was on the property.
According to officials, the woman, later identified as Alaijah Shantel Joseph, became enraged and refused to comply with the officers. During the encounter, Joseph used her cell phone to call pals and invite them to the park.
When the sergeant sought to detain her, the situation became more serious. According to officials, Joseph yanked her arm away to avoid being detained and punched the sergeant, knocking his radio microphone off his shoulder and to the ground. Despite her continuing struggle, deputies were eventually able to capture her in handcuffs.
Following the arrest, authorities discovered that Joseph was already on probation for conveyance burglary. The park visit was also a violation of her court-ordered 6 p.m. curfew.
Joseph was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center, where she was charged with a number of third-degree felonies, including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting with violence, and depriving an officer of means of communication. She also faced minor charges of resisting without violence and trespassing.
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