The quick response by Winter Haven officers lands a man behind bars when he is found inside of a residence holding a carpet cleaner.
On Dec. 5, 2024 at approximately 1:36 a.m., occupants inside of a home on 6th St SW in Winter Haven were suddenly awakened to a loud bang at the front door. They found 23 year-old Austin Alexander Smith (DOB 4-19-01, LKA 102 2nd St, Winter Haven) in the living room appearing to be wearing only a shirt with no pants or shoes holding the victim’s carpet cleaner in his hand.
The resident yelled at Smith who immediately ran out of the home dropping the carpet cleaner. Within 10 minutes, officers located a subject matching the description of Smith walking in the area of Ave. M and 5th St. SW. They detained the subject, and he was ultimately identified by the resident as the subject who broke into his residence by kicking in the door.
Smith told officers that he didn’t recall what he was doing because he was high on Methamphetamine.
Smith was ultimately transported and booked into the Polk County Jail for Burglary of Occupied Dwelling (F2).
