An undocumented immigrant is facing serious legal trouble after allegedly pursuing a teenager with a knife in a Florida park.
Vidal Jimenez, 23, was arrested on Tuesday, March 24, in Polk County, as reported by the local sheriff’s office.
Authorities responded to a call from Bailey Place where an 18-year-old victim explained that two men had asked him if he sold marijuana. When he clarified he was not selling drugs, they reportedly became angry, with Jimenez allegedly hitting him.
The victim mentioned that he attempted to escape, but Jimenez started chasing him. He called his brother for help, yet they couldn’t meet up in the park because the teenager was hiding from Jimenez. Eventually, the suspects managed to find him again.
While they appeared to be pursuing him once more—with Jimenez holding a knife and the other suspect carrying a bottle—the victim managed to flee. He, later on, found his brother, who was also being chased, and called the police.
Upon arrival, law enforcement encountered Jimenez exiting the Willow Oak Mobile Home Park.
Reports indicate he attempted to evade arrest, and when officers tried to detain him, he kept talking, prompting them to use a Taser to subdue him.
Eventually, he was arrested following a foot chase. He now faces two counts of aggravated assault without intent to kill, simple assault, and resisting without violence. Due to his immigration status, the charges were elevated.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd mentioned that Jimenez not only assaulted the young man but also armed himself and attempted to outrun deputies. He also highlighted that Jimenez is in the country illegally, stating, “It didn’t work for him and it won’t work for anyone else who tries.”
Authorities are still working to locate the second person involved in this incident.
