Florida Man Arrested After Breaking Into Fire Station to Shower, Steal Candy, and Wear Sheriff Grady Judd’s Cowboy Hat

WINTER HAVEN, Florida — A Haines City man spent Christmas morning in custody after authorities say he broke into a Winter Haven fire station, took a shower, changed clothes, rummaged through offices, and later appeared wearing Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s signature cowboy hat, which had been stolen from a separate vehicle burglary earlier that morning.

Suspect Found Wearing Stolen Fire Department Gear and Sheriff’s Hat

Police identified the suspect as Daniel Alejandro Puga, 22, who was discovered early Thursday at Winter Haven Fire Station 1, dressed in a stolen Winter Haven Fire Department recruit shirt and the distinctive Grady Judd cowboy hat. Officers responded around 7:00 a.m. after a report of a suspicious person on fire department property and quickly detained Puga without incident.

Investigators say security footage shows Puga entering the building through a side door around 5:00 a.m., then walking inside the administrative offices that were closed for the holiday.

Security Footage Shows Shower, Ransacked Offices, and Stolen Candy

According to Winter Haven Police, Puga took a shower, changed into unauthorized fire department gear, and ransacked multiple administrative rooms, including an area where clothing was stored. Staff later discovered items out of place and candy missing from office desks. Officials confirmed the building had been secured two days earlier, indicating the break-in occurred overnight.

Police Link Suspect to Separate Vehicle Burglary Nearby

While officers were detaining Puga, a second call came in regarding a vehicle burglary at JC’s Customs, not far from the fire station. A passerby reported a truck with a smashed rear window and an open door. When investigators contacted the vehicle’s owner—who was out of town for Christmas—the only item reported missing was a Polk County Sheriff’s Office Grady Judd cowboy hat.

Authorities say the hat’s description and size matched the one Puga was wearing at the time of his arrest, directly linking him to the burglary.

Multiple Charges Filed Following Christmas Morning Arrest

Puga was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center, where he now faces multiple charges, including burglary of an unoccupied structure, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, and two counts of petit theft. Police say the investigation is ongoing as they review additional footage and inventory recovered items. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on local crime prevention and community safety at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.