Deputies shoot convicted felon, searching for accused accomplice following armed robbery in Polk County

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A Polk County sergeant shot 27-year-old Matthew Correa following an armed robbery and vehicle chase Saturday morning. 

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Correa and an unknown white female with blonde hair were traveling in a white Tahoe when they stopped at the Sunrise Supermarket and stole a red Toyota pickup truck. 

Deputies say around 8:45 a.m. the couple went to the Ramirez Tire Shop on Spirit Lake Road and asked a guy for money several times. The man told them he didn’t have any money and the three ended up in an office. That’s when deputies say Correa pulled a rifle out of a duffle bag and closed the door. While pointing the gun at the man, Correa can be seen on surveillance video rummaging around the office. A short time later, a customer came into the tire shop and the pair fled. 

Two hours later deputies spotted the stolen pickup truck at Cypress Gardens Blvd. and Highway 17. Deputies were behind him as he traveled southbound on Highway 17 and turned west onto 540. Correa led law enforcement on a chase, driving around stop sticks and trying to run over a deputy before stopping in the eastbound lane of 540. 

Deputies say Correa, who was now alone in the vehicle, pointed the rifle under his chin and told the deputies to kill him. According to PCSO, the deputies tried to de-escalate the situation and that’s when Correa popped up through the sunroof screaming, "Kill me, kill me, kill me!"

A sergeant and a K9 was behind Correa at the time. 

Correa then dropped into the truck and popped back up with the firearm and a beer bottle, according to PCSO. 

Deputies say Correa smashed the beer bottle against his forehead, but the sergeant, who did not see him creak the bottle, heard a pop and thought he fired at deputies so he shot Correa one time in the neck. 

After being shot, Correa dropped into the truck and the rifle fell outside the vehicle, according to PCSO. 

Deputies charged the truck after the shooting and administered life-saving measures until EMS arrive. Correa was taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Judd commented, " He made a bad choice and our deputies made a choice to protect themselves."

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says Correa is expected to be released from the hospital Saturday night or on Sunday. He says Correa will be arrested upon his release.

Sheriff Judd says Correa has a criminal record. He has three previous felonies, including a home invasion burglary and went to prison for five years.

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office

"If he's running the streets, he's a menace. He's dangerous and somebody will be hurt as long as he's at large," stated Judd. 

Deputies are asking for help locating and identifying the woman Correa was with on Saturday morning. 

Deputies are asking for help identifying and locating this woman who was with Correa during the armed robbery Saturday morning. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

"Thank God none of our deputies were injured today. The suspect made several bad choices this morning, including the choice that forced our sergeant to shoot him. We still need help trying to determine who the white female suspect is and where she was left. She was not present during the traffic stop and shooting," Judd shared. 

Anyone with information about the white female's identity and/or her whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 863-298-6200 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477.