VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man was caught smashing an SUV with a hammer in the parking lot of a Volusia County Publix store on Friday, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a release, deputies said that the man — identified as Justin Allen, 37 — was seen breaking into the SUV at the parking lot in Ormond-by-the-Sea before smashing it with the hammer.
[WATCH: Man caught trying to smash ex’s car near Publix, Volusia sheriff says]
“When confronted by a deputy, Allen claimed he was taking revenge on his ex’s car,” the release reads. “Unfortunately, the SUV belonged to an innocent Publix employee.”
On the morning of Feb. 13, a deputy approached Allen, who was smashing the inside of a car with a crowbar. Allen told the deputy the car was his, but deputies later confirmed he had the wrong vehicle.
“I’m gonna see if it’s your car. If it’s your car by all means,” the deputy said.
“It’s not, it’s her car but she came and stole this from my house just now!” Allen responded.
“Whose car is it?”
“It’s her car,” Allen said.
Deputies found a hammer, crowbar, knife, and cocaine in the car. Allen, a convicted felon, was charged with damaging the car and drug possession.
Deputies told the victim that Allen had the wrong car.
“You were driving the same car as his ex-girlfriend. So he thought it was his ex-girlfriend’s car who robbed him last night or whatever he was saying,” a deputy said.
As a result, investigators said, Allen was taken into custody and now faces charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, and possession of cocaine and paraphernalia.
He posted a $10,500 bond and was released later that same night.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office shared a photo of the damage with a message: “This family with four kids now without a vehicle that fits everybody. If you’re a car dealer with a full-size family SUV to loan, this would be a great place for it!”
Officials estimate Allen caused about $17,000 in damage to the SUV. A local car dealership has reached out to provide the family with a loaner vehicle.