A Polk City woman is presently facing multiple charges for a disturbing event that transpired at a Florida gas station earlier this year. According to WFLA, the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Crystal Hess, reportedly became confrontational after an interaction at the gas pump turned contentious.
On February 8, after being approached by Hess, the male victim was in the process of leaving the gas station when a can of Pepsi was hurled into his vehicle. This ill-thrown object made contact with a 3-year-old child in the back seat. The same report states that the can "ricocheted off the headrest and struck the 3-year-old child in the head." Hess is also accused of striking the vehicle with a key in her hand, causing gouge marks, and then further damaging the van by kicking it, which led to considerable damage to the tune of $1,000, as per WFLA.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office began investigating after receiving the assault report, but Hess eluded capture for several weeks. In a turn of events detailed by Tampa Free Press, a break in the case occurred. Hess was apprehended in South Carolina on February 18, following her involvement in an unrelated hit-and-run traffic crash.
South Carolina State Trooper North played a pivotal role in connecting the dots between the hit-and-run and the Florida incident, later contacting PCSO detectives to inform them of Hess's arrest. FOX 13 News reports that Hess faces a myriad of charges, which include throwing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle and criminal mischief. She was extradited back to Polk County and was booked into jail last Saturday.
Despite the unsettling nature of the events, the child was not seriously injured. Authorities have not disclosed any further details regarding the motives behind Hess's alleged assault—or the current status of her legal proceedings—as this fluid situation continues to unfold.
