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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.

Nov 12, 2025

Valrico man arrested following retail theft and violently resisting a deputy

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey

A PCSO deputy was dispatched to the Mulberry Walmart at around 5:19 pm on Monday, November 11th, regarding an in-progress retail theft.

Store security witnessed the suspect concealing merchandise under his shirt, then watched as he pushed his cart full of items out of the store without paying for any of it. Security attempted to stop the suspect, but he refused.

The deputy quickly arrived, and located the suspect, 58-year old Homero Saenz of Valrico.

Saenz was ordered by the deputy to stop, but Saenz refused to do so.

The deputy moved to arrest Saenz, but Saenz physically resisted.

A Taser was used to subdue Saenz, but it had no effect. Saenz then grabbed the Taser and attempted to take it from the deputy, but the deputy managed to retain the device and successfully discharged an incapacitating shock to Saenz, which enabled the deputy to get Saenz secured in handcuffs.

The deputy recovered store merchandise from the cart, and from under a girdle-like band that Saenz wore above the waist, covered by his shirt.

The value of the stolen merchandise was $237.39.

Homer Saenz was taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center where he was charged with: Attempted Escape (F2), Resisting with Violence (F3), Felony Petit Theft (F3), Battery on LEO (F3), Attempting to Deprive LEO of Protection Device (F3), Unlawful Possession of a Shopping Cart (M1), Resisting a Merchant (M1), and Resisting without Violence (M1).

Saenz has a criminal history which includes convictions for: grand theft, motor vehicle theft (twice), burglary, and possessions of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The deputy was not injured.