MELBOURNE, Fla. – A 22-year-old man was jailed overnight after he beat and kicked a woman when she broke off their relationship and then led officers on a high-speed pursuit, Melbourne police said.
Neighbors heard the woman’s screams and immediately called police, who arrived within moments of the calls for help, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.
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“It ended up being a domestic issue and ended up in a pursuit. They were able to take him into custody after he hit a curb,” said Lt. Shawn Eising, of the Melbourne Police Department.
Michael Turner, of St. Petersburg, was charged with dating violence, aggravated assault robbery, grand theft, fleeing and attempting to elude and reckless driving after officers were called about 12:30 a.m. Thursday to investigate a battery at Park at Via Terrossa Apartments on Palm Bay Road. He was also charged with driving under the influence and property damage after using a bottle of Hennessy to smash a windshield, reports show.
Police said the incident began when the woman told Turner following a stop at a restaurant that she no longer wanted to be with him and was ending their five-month long relationship. Police said Turner became enraged, grabbed the woman’s purse, took her money and smashed her phone.
Police said Turner then stopped at the apartment complex, pulled the woman out of the vehicle and struck her before pushing her down and kicking her in the face and head. Police said Turner then retrieved a bat and smashed out the window of the woman’s car. Turner left in a silver Kia as officers arrived, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, reports show. Police said he drove backward at one point and later knocked over a sign.
He then drove near the officers treating the victim. The officers, along with paramedics and the victim, ran away to avoid being struck by the car, reports show.
“He struck a curb, but no one else was injured,” Eising said.
Officers took Turner into custody and later booked him into the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes. He remains held without bond.
