PALM BAY, Fla. – A Florida woman was arrested earlier this week after a man’s car was heavily damaged last month, according to the Palm Bay Police Department.
In an arrest report, Palm Bay police said officers responded to a home on July 9, arresting 23-year-old Charles Cooler.
Recommended Videos
During that incident, Cooler was accused of showing up to the home drunk and telling a woman there — Alanah Owen, 18 — that “he could have more women,” which prompted an argument, the report shows. Police added that Cooper later tried to hit her, sparking the arrest.
Cooler faces charges of assault, battery and resisting an officer without violence stemming from that incident. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 12.
But police were called out to the home again on July 26, where Cooler’s car had been left after his arrest “in good condition,” a probable cause affidavit states.
In a situation straight out of singer Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats,” police said the car’s windows were smashed in, the body was dented, the driver’s seat was cut open, and there were words scratched into the vehicle: “CHEATER” on the driver’s side of the car and “LIL D***” on the hood.
In all, the damages amounted to around $5,000, according to investigators.
Detectives said they spoke with a neighbor, who told them she’d overheard Owen on the phone talking about keying the word “CHEATER” onto Cooler’s car.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Afterward, police spoke with Owen, who claimed she’d gone to a friend’s house for a few days after Cooler’s arrest, returning home a few days later to find the car vandalized, the affidavit says.
“A lot of people know about the incident between her and Charles, but she isn’t sure if anyone would take it upon themselves to damage the vehicle,” the affidavit reads. “She is willing to assist paying for the damages due to the vehicle being on her property.”
However, police said they determined that Owen being in the area at the time of the damage meant she was responsible, so she was arrested on Monday evening.
Owen faces a charge of criminal mischief. She was released on bond Tuesday night.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: