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News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Dec 1, 2025
Bartow man arrested for violent attack in WInter Haven area
Media Contact: Brian S Bruchey
PCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence on Indian Bluff, Winter Haven, at around 9:35 pm, Friday, November 28, 2025 on the report of a burglary with battery.
The victim suffered lacerations and bruises from an alleged attack by a known suspect, identified as 31-year old Austin Shawn Owens of Bartow.
Owens was accused of forcing his way into a residence by kicking in the front door.
It was said that Owens then began punching the victim with a closed fist, placed his hands around the victim’s throat, spit on the victim, and bit the victim's finger.
The victim reported that while trying to call 911, Owens grabbed the phone and threw it to the ground.
It was also reported that Owens would not let the victim leave the residence, and he intentionally damaged a glass table inside the home before fleeing.
Deputies located Owens a short time later at the RaceTrac at Thornhill Rd and Winter Lake Road. He unsuccessfully resisted deputies' efforts to take him into custody.
At the time of this arrest, Owens was on active felony probation for Burglary of an Occupied Structure/Conveyance.
Austin Owens was charged with: Burglary with Battery (F1), Violation of Probation (F3), Battery by Strangulation (F3), Felony Battery (with Prior Conviction, F3), Criminal Mischief (M1), Tampering with Victim (F3), False Imprisonment (F3), and Resisting without Violence (M1).