An out-of-state fugitive was apprehended early Tuesday morning after police responded to a domestic incident at a short-term rental in The Villages.
The incident took place at a residence at the Fussell Villas on Redding Court in St. Catherine.
According to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department, officers arrived at the Redding Court rental shortly after midnight. Upon arrival, 29-year-old Jaelan Deondrae Johnson quickly handed an officer a cell phone and acknowledged to taking it from the victim, his child’s mother.
The victim said police she was staying at the Airbnb, which Johnson had paid for, and was FaceTiming a male acquaintance when Johnson abruptly arrived. Johnson, enraged at the call, took the cell phone from her hands. When the woman reached out to get her phone, Johnson used his free hand to push her away. He then took the iPad outdoors and purposefully kept it away from her until law enforcement arrived.
After being read his Miranda rights, Johnson admitted to purposely stealing the phone to prevent her from speaking with the other man. He claimed he bought the phone as a present for her over a year ago, but he admits he does not pay her cellular service account and has no ownership rights to the gadget.
In addition to the domestic disturbance, officers discovered Johnson was sought on other warrants in Georgia.
He was detained on felony charges of domestic robbery by abrupt snatching without a handgun or weapon. Johnson was detained at the Sumter County Detention Center and is being held without bond.
Airbnbs and other short-term rentals have been a major source of contention in The Villages, with neighbors routinely complaining about the transitory crowds that come and go from the properties. Irritated neighbors frequently mention loud music, parking infractions, heavy drinking, and excess trash as ongoing issues with Airbnbs and VRBOs in the neighborhood.
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