A man sitting on his porch with his wife stopped a burglary and theft on Monday afternoon, September 29th, 2025, when he confronted the thief and told him to put the stolen item back.

The crime occurred at around 3:00 pm in the Eloise Woods East Lake Mariam area of Winter Haven.

The witnesses watched as 31-year old Rusty Waddle got into an unlocked work vehicle and stole an air compressor. 

The Good Samaritan got off his porch, approached Rusty, and told him to put the air compressor back, which Rusty did.

The witness then told the worker whose truck had been burgled, and he also called the PCSO to report Rusty's actions.

A deputy soon arrived in the neighborhood and went to the residence where Rusty resides. 

It took numerous attempts before two occupants finally came to the door. They were identified as 26-year old Ashleigh Jarvis and 29-year old Justin Smith. 

Ashleigh told the deputies that nobody else was inside. That was a lie.

Deputies found Rusty Waddle hiding in a bedroom closet and he was arrested, along with Ashleigh and Justin. All three were taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center.

Rusty Waddle was charged with: Burglary, Petit Theft, Resisting, and Possession of Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia.

Justin and Ashleigh were both charged with Resisting. Ashleigh also caught a charge for Giving False Information to LEO.