A revenge plot unraveled when the targeted vehicle turned out to belong to a stranger.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, FL – A Volusia County man who admitted to smashing his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle with a hammer only to discover he had targeted the wrong SUV has been sentenced to three years’ probation, according to court records.
Justin Allen, 38, entered a no contest plea to charges including burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and stalking. In addition to probation, Allen was ordered to pay more than $2,000 in restitution and have no contact with the victims involved in the case.
Deputies say the incident unfolded shortly after 11 a.m. on Feb. 13 at a Publix store, where Allen used a hammer to break into what he believed was his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle. After shattering a window, he climbed inside and began striking the car’s radio.
Mistaken target leads to arrest
The vehicle, however, belonged to a Publix employee, not Allen’s former partner, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
“When confronted by a deputy Allen claimed he was taking revenge on his ex’s car,” deputies wrote.
Responding deputies arrived to find a car alarm sounding and Allen seated inside the SUV holding a hammer. He complied with commands to exit the vehicle and get on the ground before being taken into custody.
“F—ing b— thinks she can do whatever she wants,” Allen told a deputy, according to body camera footage.
Allen also accused his ex-girlfriend of taking his medication, saying, “She thinks she’s going with her new man and just take all my s—.”
Authorities later informed the vehicle’s owner about the incident, explaining how the mistake occurred.
“His ex-girlfriend drove by in a similar car,” a deputy told the employee. “He’s like ‘there it is.'”
Deputies estimate the damage to the SUV totaled approximately $17,000.
Ongoing incidents and stalking charges
The Publix employee, described by her manager as a reliable worker, received assistance after the incident. Daytona Nissan Infiniti owner Zachary Yeoman, who shops at the store, provided her with a free rental car and help with repairs.
“I talked to the manager where she works, and he said she’s one of the hardest workers there,” Yeoman told WESH. “She still came to work, no excuses.”
Authorities say Allen’s actions did not end with the February incident. On March 6, he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s actual vehicle. A neighbor reported seeing him rummaging through an SUV before leaving in a pickup truck.
When deputies notified the ex-girlfriend, she identified Allen based on his prior behavior, which she described as persistent harassment. She told investigators he frequently drove past her home, showed up uninvited, knocked on her door, and sent repeated unwanted messages.
According to reports, Allen’s conduct left her fearful and emotionally distressed, leading to additional stalking and burglary charges. He remained in custody at the Volusia County Jail until entering his plea last week.
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