A Davenport nightclub employee’s late-night trip home from work turned into a roadside nightmare when deputies say a customer followed her from the club and assaulted her at a gas station on U.S. 27 early May 10.
The woman, identified by authorities as a dancer, informed deputies that she observed a Chevy pickup trailing her as she drove south from Lake County. When she stopped at a gas station in Davenport, the driver allegedly approached her car, reached through the open window, grabbed her by the throat, and hit her. She claimed she was able to spray mace during the battle but told authorities the man stole the canister and fled. Deputies said they spotted the suspect’s truck near Posner Park mere minutes later and arrested him.
According to a May 11 press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the attack occurred around 2:15 a.m. as the dancer travelled south into Polk County. According to the announcement, the suspect is 23-year-old Jaden Richard of Haines City, and officers promptly discovered his Chevrolet near Posner Park and apprehended him shortly after the incident.
According to West Orlando News, the woman informed investigators that the man requested she return money he claimed to have sent her via Cash App. She claimed he slammed her car before confronting her at the pump. According to the complaint, after the arrest, deputies discovered the woman’s keys and a mace canister behind the driver’s seat of the suspect’s truck.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Richard was arrested on several felony charges, including burglary with battery, robbery by abrupt snatching, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, following/harassing, and felony criminal mischief. The agency’s release did not include a bond amount or a court date. Polk County prosecutors will analyse the matter and decide whether to press formal charges.
Investigators say the case is still ongoing and they are looking for new clues. Anyone with information should contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or email [email protected]. The sheriff’s public information release includes contact information for potential witnesses and anyone who saw the vehicles on U.S. 27 that morning.
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