POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Frontier Communications contractor narrowly escaped an attempted armed carjacking in Wahneta, and thanks to quick thinking and the swift response of Polk County Sheriff’s deputies and K9 units, the suspect was arrested.
The incident occurred around 4:20 PM on January 2nd near the intersection of 1st Street West and Rifle Range Road. The victim, who was working in the area, reported that a man approached his work vehicle and threatened him with a handgun in an attempt to carjack him. Fortunately, the victim’s doors were locked, and he was able to flee the scene in his vehicle and call 911.
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Deputies, with the assistance of PCSO Aviation and K9 units, responded to the area and located a suspect matching the victim’s description. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Erasuro Mascorro Jr. of Wahneta, fled into a wooded area but was quickly apprehended by K9 Ketchum.
The victim positively identified Mascorro as the would-be carjacker. During questioning, Mascorro claimed he did not remember the incident, attributing his actions to “blacking out” after using PCP and methamphetamine.
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Sheriff Grady Judd praised the quick response of his deputies and emphasized the danger Mascorro posed to the community. “Erasuro Mascorro is a very dangerous individual,” said Sheriff Judd. “Not only does he admit to using illegal drugs, but he has a history of violence, and is now known to be armed.”
Mascorro is currently in custody at the Polk County Jail.
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