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Inset: Justin Allen. Background: Allen after his arrest for allegedly breaking into what he thought was his ex-girlfriend”s SUV in Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office).
In a bizarre act of revenge, a man from Florida decided to target his ex-girlfriend’s car with a hammer, only to find himself in hot water with the law. Authorities in Volusia County reported that 37-year-old Justin Allen intended to vandalize his former partner’s vehicle but ended up attacking the wrong car.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Allen’s misguided attempt involved smashing a window and wreaking havoc on the car’s radio. Unfortunately for him, the vehicle he chose belonged to an employee at the Publix store where the incident unfolded, not to his ex-girlfriend.
Allen now faces several charges, including burglary of an unoccupied vehicle and criminal mischief, following his ill-conceived plan. The sheriff’s deputies were quick to respond to the scene at the Ormond-by-the-Sea Publix after receiving reports of a burglary in progress just after 11 a.m. on Friday.
Upon arrival, deputies found the car’s alarm blaring and Allen inside the vehicle, hammer in hand. His actions have led to legal consequences, highlighting the perils of acting on impulse without verifying one’s target.
When a deputy arrived, a car alarm was blaring and Allen was apparently sitting inside of the vehicle holding the hammer.
“When confronted by a deputy Allen claimed he was taking revenge on his ex’s car,” deputies wrote.
Allen exited the car and got on the ground.
“F—ing b— thinks she can do whatever she wants,” Allen told the deputy, according to body camera footage.
Allen accused his ex of stealing his anxiety medication.
“She thinks she’s going with her new man and just take all my s—,” he said.
Cops took him into custody.
“Unfortunately, the SUV belonged to an innocent Publix employee,” deputies wrote.
The deputy later explained to the employee what happened.
“His ex-girlfriend drove by in a similar car,” the deputy told the woman, per the body camera footage. “He’s like ‘there it is.’”
Cops say Allen caused about $17,000 worth of damage.
But all is not lost for the upset Publix employee. A car dealership owner who shops at the store and heard about the situation gave the employee a free rental car and is helping her with repairs.
“I talked to the manager where she works, and he said she’s one of the hardest workers there,” Daytona Nissan Infiniti owner Zachary Yeoman told local NBC affiliate WESH. “She still came to work, no excuses.”
Allen was taken to the Volusia County Jail, where he has since posted a $10,500 bond. His next court date is set for March 17.