23-087 Sheriff Bob Gualtieri Holds Press Conference to Discuss Dunedin Pool Lanai Shooting Investigation

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Robbery/Homicide Unit
Support Services Bureau
-Forensics Division

Karl Polek (Injured)
DOB: 12/22/1989
Address: 9106 Unicorn Avenue, Port Richey

Bradley Hocevar (Homeowner - Uninjured)
DOB: 08/07/1965
Address: 41 Concord Drive, Dunedin

Jana Hocevar (Homeowner - Uninjured)
DOB: 01/03/1980
Address: 41 Concord Drive, Dunedin

PINELLAS COUNTY – On Monday, June 26, 2023, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a press conference to discuss a shooting investigation.

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau responded to 41 Concord Drive in Dunedin for reports of a Burglary In-Progress.

Through their investigation, detectives learned 33-year-old Karl Polek, who is employed by Bay Area Pool Techs, arrived to service the pool at 41 Concord Drive. 

Detectives say 43-year-old Jana Hocevar, who resides at 41 Concord Drive, heard noises in the pool lanai and observed an unknown male on the pool deck, who she did not recognize. Jana became concerned and notified her husband, 57-year-old Bradley Hocevar. Both Jana and Bradley became concerned as no one was supposed to be at their residence at that time. Bradley yelled for the subject to get out and to go away several times.

According to detectives, Jana called 911 and Bradley retrieved a rifle from their bedroom. Both Jana and Bradley continued to hear noises and observed a flashlight coming toward the door. Fearful for the safety of Jana and himself, Bradley fired two rounds from his rifle. Shrapnel from the bullet and glass struck Polek, who fled from the lanai area. Bradley then fired several more rounds toward the lanai. 

Polek was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Sheriff Gualtieri stated, “In hindsight, he should have probably let them know he was coming at 9 o’clock at night, yet he made no effort to contact them at all.”

Based on the investigation, Sheriff Gualtieri stated Bradley was acting within the law when he fired his weapon. 

To view the entire press conference, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCUwWMvFis