HAINES CITY, Fla. – A 51-year-old Haines City man, Juston Helaire, III, was arrested Thursday night by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) after an investigation into an April 2nd incident involving a knife attack and alleged phone tampering.
Deputies had been actively searching for Helaire due to a felony warrant issued in connection with an altercation that occurred at the Stay Plus Inn in Haines City. According to the PCSO, the incident on April 2nd began as an argument between Helaire and a woman. When the woman attempted to record the disturbance on her cell phone, Helaire allegedly took the device from her. He then reportedly armed himself with a knife, threatened the victim, and subsequently cut her hand with the weapon.
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The victim was able to regain possession of her phone and attempted to dial 911 for emergency assistance. However, Helaire is accused of snatching the phone away from her a second time, preventing the call.
On Thursday night, PCSO deputies located Helaire driving his blue Honda Odyssey in the area of Keystone Road and Old Lake Alfred Road in Auburndale. A traffic stop was initiated, and Helaire was taken into custody without incident.
Helaire was booked into the Polk County Jail on multiple charges, including Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Tampering During a Felony, and Felony Battery (2nd or Subsequent Offense).
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