VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Pepper spray ended a late-night altercation at a Vero Beach home after it escalated into chaos when a man allegedly punched a car and slapped a woman who intervened.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) responded to a disturbance at a home at 640 19th Place SW, leading to the arrest of 21-year-old Devin Mercado following a violent altercation on February 1, where he allegedly punched a vehicle multiple times and slapped a woman, breaking her glasses, leading him to get pepper sprayed.
At around 11 p.m., deputies were dispatched to Highland Drive SE after reports of a man, later identified as Mercado, involved in an altercation. Mercado was found driving a red Chevy Spark and was detained after a traffic stop at a nearby 7-Eleven.
According to investigators, Mercado and his girlfriend were at the initial scene and began acting aggressively. Witnesses reported that Mercado was uncontrollable and violent.
A woman at the scene told deputies Mercado was upset and started punching the garage and the passenger side door panels of the vehicle. When she tried to intervene, Mercado slapped her, causing her glasses to fly off and break. The victim sustained minor injuries, including a red cheek.
Another witness told deputies that Mercado and his girlfriend had been arguing all day. Mercado ran up to the house and began beating on the vehicle. The witness also said that when the victim intervened Mercado reached for the victim’s phone and when it fell, Mercado slapped her. The witness said Mercado would not back off so she intervened by pepper spraying him to stop the altercation and call law enforcement.
Video footage corroborated the witnesses’ accounts, showing Mercado punching the vehicle and yelling. The footage captured Mercado punching the vehicle six times with significant force, according to the arrest report. The video also showed Mercado yelling “lock me up” and reaching toward the victim, causing her to drop her phone.
The victim’s mother, who was also the owner of the damaged vehicle, stated that the repair costs would be over $1,000. She expressed her intention to pursue criminal charges for the damages.
Based on the evidence and witness statements, Mercado was booked into the Indian River County Jail for battery by touch or strike, criminal mischief, and felony criminal mischief. He was held without bond pending his first appearance.
At Ovadia Law Group, we believe that every personal injury victim deserves justice and fair compensation. Our experienced attorneys are passionate about helping clients rebuild their lives after an accident. We handle all types of personal injury cases, from car accidents to medical malpractice, with a focus on achieving the best results for our clients. With our extensive knowledge and resources, we are prepared to take on even the most complex cases. Call us at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation and let us guide you through the legal process.
source: cbs12
