Monday 10/21/2024 at approximately 11:55pm the Lake Wales Police we’re called to a possible trespassing at a current Lake Wales construction site. Officers arrested Makayla White DOB: 04/16/1990 & John Riff DOB: 01/30/1992 charging them with Trespassing on a Posted Construction Site.
The following is a redacted, but unedited portion of the Lake Wales Police Department arrest affidavit for White. Riffs affidavit is almost identical (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Lake Wales Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Lake Wales Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. A suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.) :
“ On Monday, 10/21/2024, I responded to an active construction site of a subdivision located near REDACTED in reference to subjects trespassing on the property. An off duty Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy (REDACTED) notified Lake Wales Police that there were suspicious individuals in the construction site located at Grove Ave,and Hamlin Street. Officers were advised of several subjects were on site with flashlights. Once on scene, I observed one white male and one white female subjects currently detained by Officers. One subject was later identified as Defendant Makayla Jean White.
This site is currently an active construction site for a new subdivision where all the homes are currently a construction site. Makayla stated she was there to get stuff out of the dumpsters. There was a significant amount of property that was taken. The defendant Makayla Jean White was located inside the cargo van in front of two homes inside the construction site. She was detained and questioned post Miranda about what she was doing at the site at this hour of night. She advised they were going through the dumpsters on the property. Multiple items of construction material to include a full uncut 4 ‘ 8 ‘ sheet of plywood, multiple concrete blocks, rebar, and large rolls of electrical wire were located inside the vehicle she was driving.
Makayla stated at no time did she enter any of the homes and the all the property taken was out near the street or dumpster. Be advised that all the property taken seemed brand new and never used. It has yet been determined if the property was taken from the dumpsters or from inside the homes being built. I was clear that Makayla White and her co-defendant were there for the purpose of salvaging construction material in violation of the posted sign prohibiting trespass, salvage or dumping debris.
There is clearly posted signs at every single construction home that states “LENNAR, NO TRESPASSING, No Salvage or Dumping Debris, Violators Will Be Guilty of a Felony”. Based on the information obtained, Makayla Jean White will be charged with Trespassing on a Posted Construction Site 810.09(2) (c)* The construction manager’s name is also listed on the signs and permit numbers are located on each sign.”
Both suspects have been given court dates. White posted bond and has a court date 12/9/2024. Riff had a court date 11/8/2024, but details are not yet available.
