A Florida Publix employee caught a stray when a man took a hammer to their car, thinking it belonged to his ex, according to Volusia County deputies.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — A Florida man has been arrested after destroying a car in an Ormond-by-the-Sea Publix parking lot that he thought belonged to his ex… but it didn’t.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 37-year-old Justin Allen after a deputy confronted him for taking a hammer to an SUV.
Body camera video shared by the sheriff’s office shows the confrontation. It begins with a deputy, gun drawn, approaching a white SUV as a car alarm blares. The SUV’s windows are visibly smashed, and the suspect drops a hammer after the deputy orders him to get out of the car.
The suspect told the officer the car was his ex-girlfriend’s and that she had stolen items from him.
Police say the vehicle actually belonged to an innocent Publix employee.
In the video, deputies can be heard saying Allen had been pointing at every white SUV that passed by, believing they belonged to his ex. “All of them have been different makes and models,” one deputy said. They then tell each other that they believe he is on drugs.
Allen has been charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief over $1K, possession of cocaine and paraphernalia.
Allen posted $10,500 bond and was released later that night.