PCSO: Winter Haven Man Arrested After Brutal Baseball Bat Attack on Neighbor

Photo Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO)

Staff Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published June 19th, 2025

_____

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — June 18, 2025 — A Winter Haven man with a violent criminal history is back in custody after allegedly breaking into his neighbor’s home and attacking her with a baseball bat, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 8:33 p.m. Wednesday night, deputies responded to a home in the Florence Villa neighborhood for a report of an aggravated battery. The victim told deputies she had two violent encounters with her neighbor, identified as 58-year-old Lucious Smith, earlier that day.

In the first incident, the victim said Smith became enraged over a parking dispute. He allegedly struck her door and mailbox with a baseball bat. Hours later, she awoke to find Smith inside her home, still armed with the bat. She told deputies that he repeatedly struck her, then smashed a glass table and flower pot during the assault.

According to the report, Smith chillingly told the woman, “I’m ready to go back to prison,” and revealed that he had already served three prior prison sentences.

Deputies located Smith at his nearby residence, where he surrendered peacefully. He was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and booked on the following charges:

• Armed Burglary with Battery (Felony – Life Punishable)
• Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Felony – 2nd Degree)
• Battery with a Prior Conviction (Felony – 3rd Degree)
• Criminal Mischief (2 counts – Misdemeanor 1st Degree)

The victim sustained injuries but is expected to recover. The Polk County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate.

For more updates on this story, visit iSkyNews.com.

_____

Join the iSkyNews.com Community!

Shop our iSkyShop for exclusive Clothing, Tumblers, and more.

© 2025 iSkyNews.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.