SWEETWATER, Fla. — A 35-year-old man was arrested over the weekend after being accused of chasing two frightened juveniles through a parking lot in Sweetwater with his car and attempting to strike them before fleeing into a residential complex, authorities said.
According to an arrest report from the Sweetwater Police Department, Jesus Hernandez, of Sweetwater, was arrested Saturday night following an incident that began near 400 NW 112th Ave.
The report states that an off-duty Homestead Police Department detective was approached by two juveniles who told him the driver of a blue Hyundai had approached them, tried to call them over and attempted to lure them into his vehicle in a parking lot.
The detective believed a possible abduction was in progress, called 911 and began following the Hyundai to assist responding officers, authorities said.
Police said officers eventually encountered Hernandez inside the Royal Flagler complex near Northwest 116th Place and Northwest First Street.
According to the report, an officer immediately noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Hernandez’s breath and said he had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
Investigators spoke with the two victims, who police said were “trembling, nervous and crying.”
One of them told investigators he had been riding a micro-mobility device through the parking lot at 400 NW 112th Ave. when Hernandez approached him in his vehicle and gestured for him to come over while saying, “Come over here now.”
The victim then told the second juvenile what had happened. The second juvenile got onto the micro-mobility device behind him, and the two continued through the parking lot, authorities said.
According to the arrest report, when the victims later rode in the direction of the Hyundai, Hernandez “rapidly opened the driver’s door in an apparent attempt to strike them.”
The victim driving the device swerved around the door and continued riding, police said.
According to the report, Hernandez then made a U-turn and accelerated after the victims at a high rate of speed, causing his tires to screech.
One of the victims told investigators Hernandez drove up close behind them and attempted to hit them with the Hyundai.
Both told police they feared for their safety and believed they were going to die.
The off-duty detective and both victims later identified Hernandez as the driver of the Hyundai, according to the report.
Investigators also spoke with another man who said he was making a food delivery inside the residential complex when he heard Hernandez drive into the area at a high rate of speed.
The man told police Hernandez’s Hyundai struck his parked vehicle before continuing north on Northwest 116th Place.
Damage to the parked vehicle was estimated at $1,000, according to the report.
Because Hernandez was displaying signs police believed were consistent with alcohol impairment, another officer responded to conduct standardized field sobriety exercises, which he failed, authorities said.
The report notes Hernandez told police he could not see from his left eye because of a previous accident that severed his optic nerve.
Hernandez was taken into custody shortly after 9:10 p.m. Saturday and was transported to a police station for DUI testing.
Police said Hernandez was read Florida’s implied consent warning in Spanish and refused to submit to a breath test after being advised of the consequences twice.
Later, Hernandez was read his Miranda rights in Spanish and declined to answer questions, according to the report.
He was taken to Jackson West Medical Center for medical clearance before being transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
His vehicle was towed from the scene.
According to the report, Hernandez was cited for careless driving, leaving the scene of a crash involving more than $50 in damage, DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a breath-alcohol test.
He faces criminal charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, DUI with damage to a person or property, DUI/refusal to submit to testing and leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage.
As of Monday afternoon, Hernandez remained held at TGK on a $2,400 bond.
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