Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19 year old Chester Boatwright of Winter Haven, and co-defendant, 19 year old Nicholas Kirkwood of Haines City, in connection to an armed robbery at Citgo Express at 4850 Cypress Gardens Rd., Winter Haven, Florida. Here is the initial article on that theft that occured at 12:30 pm Saturday, September 29, 2018 Deputies-seeking-two-armed-suspects-who-robbed-winter-haven-convenience-store.

According to the clerk working at the Citgo Express two masked black males entered into the store and demanded money. The clerk stated both of their faces were covered and the taller suspect had a semi automatic firearm and pointed it in his direction as he was demanding the money. The two suspects grabbed the money and fled the store running to the left. The suspects fled the store and ran to the rear of the store property jumping fences and into a storage business. The defendants then entered into a car and fled the area.

During the investigation it was found Konger Storage located at 4820 Cypress Gardens Rd. had surveillance cameras on the property. The suspect vehicle was observed entering the storage business at 11:55:13. The two defendants are observed exiting on foot from the front of the business then returning on foot at 11:59:28 into the business. The defendants then exit the business again on foot at 12:02:40. The suspects are observed jumping fence at 12:32:47 back into the business and the vehicle leaving the business at 12:33:55. The vehicle tag was observed on the video as being a white Chevy Impala four door.

According to the affidavit the vehicle was found to be registered to an address in the area listed nearby in Winter Haven. Deputies took one of the suspects, Boatwright, into custody. Post Miranda, Boatright, stated he was driving his mother’s car earlier in the day with his godbrother Nick Kirkwood. Boatwright allegedly confessed to committing the robbery with Kirkwood. Boatwright advised he did not have a weapon.

Kirkwood was located near his residence and taken into custody. Kirkwood allegedly stated to deputies he entered the store first and pulled the gun from his waist band. Kirkwood stated he then told the clerk to give him the money and both he and Chester grabbed the money from the drawer. Kirkwood stated the gun was a BB gun. Kirkwood stated he and Chester then ran out the door and jumped the fence back to the storage area and got into the car and left. Kirkwood stated he and Chester drove back to Chester’s house and then to Haines City where he was dropped off. Kirkwood stated they split the money up between them , which totaled $900.00. Kirkwood stated he ate good all day and when he was told to come home by his mother due to law enforcement at his house he threw the money away on the roadway. Kirkwood stated he wanted to tell the truth since his mother saw the photos of him at the robbery.

Both suspects were arrested and charged with Armed Robbery and remain in the Polk County Jail under no bond.

Winter Haven, Florida- The Polk County Sheriffs Office is currently investigating an aggravated assault which occurred on Friday night.

Here are excerpts from the PCSO arrest affidavit: “On 09/27/2018 the victim, Gregory Bailey, asked the suspect, Ronald White, if he could come to Whites residence and play pool. White agreed and Bailey arrived with beer and a Red Bull. White advised that he is a “two beer commando” he drinks one and spills the second. White advised that he had five beers this night and played multiple games of pool with Bailey. White advised that the two began to gamble on the pool games and White was winning. White advised that Bailey began insulting him and calling him a “pxxxx” and stating, “I don’t know how you were a Marine being a candy ass pxxxx”. White advised that Bailey was standing next to him and repeatedly making these statements and others that were insulting. White advised that he pushed the butt of the pool stick he was holding into the “solarplexes” of Bailey and pushed him backwards. White advised that Bailey then completed a combination of punches and slaps totaling 14 strikes to his face and head. White was examined and a small cut was observed on the inner top lip. this was the only sign of injury observed and it was photographed. White advised that he “Had enough” and claimed, “I am a hell of a boxer”. White advised that he then punched Bailey with a closed fist five times and put him on the ground where he then “Put the boot to him”. White advised that he kicked him in the back and head. White advised that he was bleeding and not able to get up and leave on his own so he called the reportee, Travis Morton,  (Baileys roommate) to come get him. White advised that he only struck Bailey with the pool stick on the one encounter. White advised that his roommate witnessed the entire event and could support his story.

White signed a consent to search for his residence where large amounts of blood trace was observed on the kitchen table, floor, and pool table were observed. The scene was photographed and White advised that after the incident he spent 45 minutes cleaning all of the blood up. ”

The Polk County Sheriffs Office contacted the attending physician at Lakeland Regional Health and Medical Center advised that Bailey has several broken ribs and injuries to his head. Bailey is currently unconscious and intubated. It was advised that there is bruising that is consistent with strikes from a pool stick on Baileys person.

According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office it was determined through statements obtained and evidence observed that White knowingly and intentionally caused great bodily harm to Bailey by repeatedly kicking “putting the boot to him” while he was on the ground. Evidence shows signs of injuries caused by sever strikes from an object such as a pool stick on Baileys person. White did admit to striking Bailey once with a pool stick during the altercation. White was advised that he was under arrest for aggravated battery and transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.