A machete attack Friday night, January 23, 2026, resulted with one man in the Polk County Jail, and another man in a local hospital with a severe laceration on his arm.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched Friday at around 5:41 pm to a residence on Flamingo Boulevard in Winter Haven, following a report of an armed disturbance.

When deputies arrived, the victim, a 38-year old male, was no longer in the home; witnesses left with him and headed to a local hospital. The victim suffered a laceration and had severe bleeding. 

The suspect, 34-year old Moises Alberto Rodriguez, attempted to flee from his home, but complied when deputies ordered him to stop.

Rodriguez was taken into custody and found to be in possession of a glass pipe and methamphetamine. 

According to witness statements, the victim and another man were working on a vehicle, and the victim went to a shed in the backyard to get some more tools.

Rodriguez confronted the victim, and told him not to use his tools. The victim entered the shed anyway, and Rodriguez picked up a machete and swung it at the victim. The victim lifted his arm in front of his head to block the machete, and subsequently suffered a deep cut to his left forearm.  

The victim, suspect, and witnesses are all related.

The suspect provided a full confession to the crime, but refused to reveal the whereabouts of the machete.

Moises Alberto Rodriguez was booked-in at the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with: attempted second-degree murder (F1), tampering with evidence (F3), possession of methamphetamine (F3), and possession of drug paraphernalia (M1).

Rodriguez has an extensive criminal history with a prior conviction for aggravated battery, simple battery, and attempted second-degree murder. He was incarcerated in Florida State Prison between May of 2011 and December 2021.