On Friday, April 27, 2026, Winter Haven Police responded to a call that involved a female victim reporting harassing phone calls. The victim advised officers that she met 29 year-old Hector Manuel Cruz (DOB 10-30-96 – Girard, Pennsylvania) roughly a month ago on Instagram and they began messaging back and forth. Most of the conversations were talking about her daily activities and her work. The relationship became romantic, to include exchanging nude images via text messages.
As the conversations continued, Cruz started demonstrating aggressive behavior in the messages accusing the victim of talking to other men and cheating on him when she wouldn’t respond immediately to calls or messages. He would go into jealous rages and state, “I hate cheaters and if you cheat on me, I’ll shoot you.” Cruz knew where the victim worked and would send harassing messages to the victim’s female supervisor at work and sent images that the victim had shared with him.
The victim ended the relationship, but Cruz continued to contact the her using multiple phone numbers and social media accounts. Cruz continued to threaten to kill the victim stating he was going to head to Florida soon. Cruz also contacted the supervisor threatening to harm her and her husband when he got to Florida.
Winter Haven Detectives began the investigation and learned a possible Connecticut address and also one in Pennsylvania. A request was sent to both local agencies to check on his location and he was found in Girard PA by the Girard Borough Police Department and taken into custody. Cruz is charged with Written Threats to Kill, Misuse of 2-Way Communication Device, Sexual Cyber Harassment and Harassing Phone Calls. Cruz will be extradited back to Florida in the coming days. Cruz also has additional warrants from other states with one out of Connecticut for Written Threats of Physical Harm.
Cruz has an extensive criminal history to include Assault, Robbery, Burglary and Harassment.
“I am confident that the determination of our detective to track this suspect down and get him behind bars has prevented another victim being harassed or even worse,” said Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe. “His behavior was quickly escalating and he could have had the opportunity to follow through on his threats.”
There could be additional victims that Cruz has interacted with. Anyone who believes they had any negative interactions with Cruz should contact the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256.
