3 arrested, 1 at large in Haines City Homicide | Crime

Haines City, Florida-- During a joint investigation today, Polk County Sheriff’s detectives and Haines City Police detectives arrested two men and one woman in the homicide of 36-year-old Homero Arteaga. They continue to search for the fourth suspect, who they say remains at large. 

According to the affidavits, on Monday, August 6, Arteaga's's mother found him deceased in his Haines City home when she went to check on him after days of not hearing from him.

Haines City Police Officers arrived on scene and found Arteaga's in his bedroom. Reports say it was obvious at that time that Arteaga's was the victim of a violent and suspicious death.

An autopsy was conducted today by Dr. Vera Volnikh, who concluded Arteaga died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries to his head. His manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Polk County Sheriff's Officials and Highlands County Police Department detectives worked together throughout the day and night following up leads on this case, and identified four suspects.

Reports say the following suspects are believed to be responsible for this crime:

• 31-year-old Christopher Mason Batchelor of  Winter Haven
• 45-year-old  John Wesley Barrett of  Winter Haven
• 25-year-old Jenny Leigh Holmes of Bartow
• 39-year-old  Dana Lynn Wise, address unknown

According to officials, during post-Miranda interviews with the suspects, they admitted that together they planned to rob the Arteaga in his home.

Holmes and Wise drove Batchelor and Barrett into Arteaga’s neighborhood and dropped them off one street east of the house. Batchelor and Barrett walked to Arteaga’s house, and broke in while armed with a metal pipe. They said their intentions were to steal any money and drugs they could find.

They entered the home, found Arteaga sleeping in his bed, struck him in the head with the metal pipe, and began ransacking the house.

Reports say they told detectives that each time Arteaga “woke up” they would strike him again.

After killing and robbing Arteaga, the two men were picked up again by Jenny Holmes and Dana Wise, and they discarded the murder weapon while driving away from the scene.

According to officials, Batchelor, Barrett and Holmes have been arrested and charged with the following: 

Batchelor :

• First Degree Murder
• Armed Burglary
• Attempted Armed Robbery

He has been in the Polk County Jail on 13 prior occasions on charges such as Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Narcotics, DWLSR, Failure to Appear, Petit Theft, Violation of Probation,

Barrett:

• First Degree Murder
• Armed Burglary
• Attempted Armed Robbery

Barrett has an extensive criminal history in Florida.

Jenny Holmes:

• Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 

Holmes has been in the Polk County Jail on four prior occasions on charges such as Burglary, Battery, Petit Theft, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of Meth.

Dana Wise is at large and detectives are in the process of obtaining a warrant for her arrest for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

They say she is known to frequent the Wahneta area.

She has been in the Polk County Jail twice, for Battery Domestic Violence, and DWSLR Failure to Appear.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Dana Wise, you are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636.