An anonymous tip led to the arrest of a Central Florida man who was wanted for attempted murder.
An anonymous Heartland Crime Stoppers tip was recently forwarded to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which provided the whereabouts of 24-year-old Austin Daniel Richardson.
According to law enforcement, the Winter Haven man was wanted for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Discharging a Firearm in a Residential Area, and Improper Exhibition of a Firearm.
The crime Richardson is accused of committing occurred on July 29, 2025 in a neighborhood off of Thornhill Road and Spirit Lake Road.
Following up on the tip, PCSO deputies arrived at a residence on Country Place SW in Winter Haven. According to local law enforcement, deputies made contact with Richardson behind the residence and he stated, “I’m the one you’re looking for.”
Austin Richardson was arrested without incident and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center on his warrant.
In addition to his Polk County charges, Richardson has a warrant out of Orange County for Failure to Appear for DUI, according to law enforcement.
