WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Winter Haven man’s bizarre burglary attempt, fueled by methamphetamine, ended with him behind bars after he was caught inside a home clutching a carpet cleaner.
The incident unfolded around 1:36 a.m. Thursday, when residents of a home on 6th Street SW were jolted awake by a loud bang at their front door. They discovered 23-year-old Austin Alexander Smith standing in their living room, clad only in a shirt and holding their carpet cleaner.
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Startled by the residents’ shouts, Smith dropped the carpet cleaner and fled the scene. However, within minutes, officers located a man matching Smith’s description nearby and detained him. The residents positively identified Smith as the intruder who had kicked in their door.
Smith, who admitted to being high on methamphetamine, told officers he couldn’t recall his actions. He was arrested and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling.
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Smith was booked into the Polk County Jail. This incident serves as a reminder to residents to remain vigilant about home security and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
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