A man from Greenacres, Florida, was taken into custody following a tumultuous series of events that started as a domestic violence incident and escalated into a police pursuit, as reported by the Port St. Lucie Police Department. Identified as 28-year-old Francisco Custodio, the accused now faces multiple charges, including intimidation, burglary with an assault or battery, and two counts each of aggravated assault and hit and run, among others. In a detailed report shared on Wednesday by WPBF, the series of events unfolded after Custodio allegedly sent a threatening text message to a family member.
According to the police statement, Custodio is accused to have traveled to a residence on S.W. Baltic Street where he committed battery against family members. During the altercation, a neighbor, while on the phone with 911, attempted to intervene and was also battered by Custodio. As police arrived at the scene, Custodio tried to make a getaway in a Toyota SUV, nearly hitting the intervening neighbor and almost causing a head-on collision with a police vehicle. WPTV reports that he then led the officers on a chase through the neighborhood, crashing into a fence before fleeing on foot.
The pursuit came to an end two blocks away from the crash site. Officers were able to apprehend Custodio after deploying Tasers. Furthermore, investigations confirmed that prior to his arrival at the S.W. Baltic Street home, Custodio sent a text to a family member threatening to kill the family, as per WPBF. This text helped establish the intimidation charge amongst a slew of others levelled against him.
Custodio is currently being held in the St. Lucie County Jail without bail until his first court appearance. Further details on the case are pending, as authorities continue to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this violent spree.
