On November 28, 2025, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an incident on Indian Bluff in Winter Haven. According to authorities, 31-year-old Austin Shawn Owens from Bartow entered a home without permission. He is accused of hitting, strangling, and biting the victim. Deputies say he also stopped the victim from calling 911 or leaving the house. Owens reportedly damaged property before leaving.
Deputies arrested Owens soon after at a nearby RaceTrac gas station. He was on felony probation for a previous burglary at the time. Owens faces charges of burglary with battery, battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and tampering with a victim…