A brutal home invasion in Winter Haven led to the arrest of a Bartow man, who now faces multiple charges including burglary with battery. Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a distress call on the night of November 28 to find a victim assaulted in their own residence. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, 31-year-old Austin Shawn Owens is alleged to have forcefully entered the home by kicking down the front door before assaulting the occupant.
Owens is accused of a violent altercation, during which he reportedly punched the victim, attempted to strangle them, and spat on them, among other aggressive acts. The suspect allegedly went so far as to bite the victim's finger and tamper with their attempt to seek help by throwing the phone meant for calling 911 to the ground. Details released by the Polk County Sheriff imply that Owens was trying to singularly dominate the situation, not allowing the victim to escape—actions consistent with false imprisonment.
Owens's rampage in the residence reportedly included the intentional destruction of a glass table. After fleeing the scene, he was later apprehended by deputies at a RaceTrac convenience store. Despite efforts to resist, Owens did not manage to evade law enforcement. The arrest was notably complicated due to Owens's status as a probationer active for a prior felony burglary charge.
The litany of charges Owens now faces is formidable, with the Polk County Sheriff's Office listing serious felonies such as burglary with battery, felony battery with a prior conviction, and battery by strangulation. His criminal actions within the invaded home have also earned him charges for criminal mischief and tampering with a victim. Owen's futile attempt to forcefully maintain control over the victim and their environment placed him under additional allegations of false imprisonment along with resisting arrest without violence.
