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News and Investigations
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 Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. 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.
Jun 19, 2025
Violent Winter Haven man attacks neighbor with a baseball bat
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
At approximately 8:33 pm on Wednesday, June 18th, PCSO deputies responded to a residence in the Florence Villa neighborhood of Winter Haven, due to a reported aggravated battery complaint.
The victim told deputies that she had two violent incidents with her neighbor 58-year old Lucious Smith during the day.
In the first incident, she said that Lucious was upset with her over a parking space, and he hit door and mailbox with a baseball bat.
A few hours later, the victim woke up to find Lucious in her residence armed with the baseball bat. She said that he hit her several times with the bat, and then broke a glass table and flower pot.
The victim reported that Lucious told her that he was ready to go back to prison. He's been there three times before.
Deputies went to Lucious' residence and he surrendered without incident.
Lucious was taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center and charged with: Armed Burglary with Battery (FL), Aggravated Battery with a deadly weapon (F2), Battery Prior Conviction (F3), and Criminal Mischief (M1, 2-counts).