On October 29, 2023 a Davenport home owner reportedly noticed someone trying to break into his wife’s car. According to reports the home owner is accused of confronting the suspect, chasing him while he fled and shooting him. That home owner was arrested. Details of that arrest are here: Polk Man Charged With Attempted Murder.
The Polk County Sheriff Office has now arrested Reginald Griffin, DOB 04/13/1994, on three counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, crossing county lines to commit burglary, and petit theft. The arrest took a few weeks as the suspect was hospitalized from the shooting. Griffin made it out of the hospital, before a judge signed the arrest order, but was arrested in Bartow.
The following is a long exerpt from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited, but redacted report of facts by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. Certain names of witnesses or victims may be redacted) :
“On 10/29/23 I was directed to respond to the residence located at REDACTED Davenport FL, in reference to a reported shooting of a person.
I made contact with Officer Rodrigues (H1657) of the Haines City Police Department, he briefed me on his findings. I learned on 10/29/23 at approximately 0555 hours, Arnold Gene Sterling observed a black male, later identified as Reginald Griffin, to be reaching into the front driver’s side door of his wife’s vehicle, which is a white Toyota Camry (REDACTED). The vehicle was parked in the driveway of the residence located at REDACTED. Sterling exited the front door of the residence and shouted “halt” several times at Reginald. Reginald fled the scene on foot and Sterling chased him. As Sterling chased Reginald, Sterling fired approximately five shots from a pistol in Reginald’s direction. Reginald was struck by one round which entered his right flank and did not exit his torso.
I located multiple camera angles which captured the incident. Prior to Reginald being shot, he is clearly seen opening the front driver’s side door of the Camry and reaching into the vehicle. Reginald was wearing dark clothing during the incident. Reginald did not appear to remove any items from within the vehicle. During a sworn recorded interview REDACTED stated she did not give anybody permission to enter the vehicle.
An additional conveyance burglary was reported at REDACTED Davenport FL in reference to Davenport PD case number 23-1104. REDACTED reported her Toyota Tacoma was entered and approximately $10.00 in change was removed from within it, along with a key to a garage door. This occurred on 10/29/23 at approximately 0530 hours. Video of the incident depicts a subject wearing dark clothing entering the passenger side of the vehicle. REDACTED stated she did not give anybody permission to enter the vehicle or remove any items from it.
An additional conveyance burglary was reported at REDACTED Davenport FL in reference to Davenport PD case number 23-1107. REDACTED reported he discovered video of a subject consistent with Reginald attempting to open the doors of his Ram pickup which was parked in his driveway. The suspect was not able to enter the cabin of the vehicle, however he lowered the tailgate in an effort to locate property belonging to the victim. This incident took place on 10/29/23 at approximately 0500 hours. REDACTED stated he did not give anybody permission to enter the vehicle. Nothing was taken from the vehicle.
During the course of my investigation I determined, after being shot, Reginald fled to the residence located at REDACTED. I authored and executed a search warrant at this residence. I discovered bloody clothing within the residence which was consistent with the clothing I observed the suspect to be wearing in videos of the above burglaries.
On 11/3/23 I conducted a recorded post Miranda interview with Reginald Griffin. Reginald stated he woke on the day of the shooting at approximately 0430 hours and was unable to go back to sleep. Reginald stated he decided to go for a walk and “smoke weed”. Reginald initially stated Sterling exited his home and fired at him unprovoked. I confronted Reginald with the video surveillance which depicted him reaching into Sterling’s vehicle. Reginald admitted he decided during his walk to begin checking unlocked cars for things he could take. Reginald stated he did this because he was on vacation and was trying to enjoy himself. Reginald stated he entered approximately three vehicles prior to being shot.
Based on the above information, I determined probable cause exists to charge Reginald Griffin with three counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, crossing county lines to commit burglary, and petit theft.”
