A man residing in the U.S. illegally is now confronting several felony charges after allegedly pursuing a Florida teenager through a park with a knife in hand.
On Tuesday, March 24, Vidal Jimenez, aged 23, was arrested by authorities in Polk County, as reported by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials revealed that they received an emergency call from Bailey Place, where they encountered an 18-year-old who described a troubling encounter. The teenager recounted that two individuals had approached him, inquiring if he was involved in selling marijuana.
When the teenager clarified he was not involved in drug sales, the situation reportedly escalated, resulting in Jimenez allegedly assaulting the young man.
According to the victim, he tried to flee from the duo, but Jimenez allegedly pursued him in a threatening manner.
The victim told officers he attempted to run away from the two suspects, but Jimenez began chasing him.
The victim subsequently called his brother for help, but the pair were unable to find each other inside the park because the teenager was still hiding from the suspects, according to authorities.
As the teen was hiding, the two suspects located him a second time, police said.
Vidal Jimenez is charged with two counts of aggravated assault without intent to kill, simple battery and resisting without violence in Polk County, Florida, according to officials. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Authorities said the suspects allegedly began chasing the victim again, with Jimenez armed with a knife and the second suspect carrying a bottle.
The victim fled the area and was able to locate his brother as the suspects were chasing him, and the pair subsequently called police.
Authorities arrived on the scene and located Jimenez as he was leaving the Willow Oak Mobile Home Park, according to the PCSO.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd revealed Vidal Jimenez is “in this country illegally,” after he was charged with attacking a teenager in a Florida park. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
As authorities tried to detain Jimenez, he allegedly ran from the scene.
Investigators said Jimenez refused to stop to speak with officers, forcing a deputy to deploy a Taser.
Jimenez was subsequently apprehended and taken into custody following the pursuit, the PCSO said.
He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault without intent to kill, simple battery and resisting without violence, according to officials.
Each charge was increased by one degree due to Jimenez being an illegal immigrant from Mexico.
“This suspect assaulted a young man, armed himself, and then tried to outrun deputies,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “He’s also in this country illegally. That didn’t work out for him, and it won’t work out for anyone else who tries it.”
Authorities are still working to identify and locate the second suspect allegedly involved in the incident.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
