Alan Aspinwall (Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Florida)
A grandson recently arrested on suspicion of carjacking his 77-year-old grandmother in the driveway outside the Florida home they shared wrote her a tearful apology, authorities said.
“Dear Grandma: First and foremost you are the most beloved person in the whole world coming from me and everyone else,” Alan Aspinwall allegedly wrote through tears, according to a handwritten letter published by FOX Orlando affiliate WOFL-TV. “I want to apologize for not being the young man you raised. … You are my everything. … I’m truly sorry for the negative events that’s been going on in my life, my mind has been so in the gutter. … Thank you for always forgiving me even if I’m wrong.”
“When I come home from prison, I promise I will be the great example of a loving father and loving grandson,” he allegedly continued. “Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to understand and see.”
He was booked into the Lake County Jail on charges of unarmed carjacking, battery on a person 65 Years of age or older (domestic), and theft from a person 65 years of age or older, court documents said.
The drama happened at 10:15 p.m. on Feb. 6. Deputies responded to a home in Leesburg on a report of a battery and theft complaint, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
The victim, who was not identified in court documents, told authorities her grandson wanted her to unlock her car so he could get something out of the trunk, court documents said. She allegedly said that when she walked out to check that it was unlocked, he grabbed the key, which cut her hand. He then allegedly grabbed her left arm, and pushed her onto the driveway before getting into the car and driving off, court documents said. The victim suffered cuts to her hand and forearm.
“The victim stated that at no time did she grant permission for the defendant to take the vehicle,” the affidavit said. “The victim indicated an intent to prosecute.”
The following morning, police found the car, a red 2018 Toyota Corolla — but no key — in Leesburg, Florida. Aspinwall was arrested that afternoon.
In a recorded interview with police, he allegedly denied having any involvement in the theft of his grandmother’s car. He said he believed the victim was 67 years old and that he had lived with her for about 27 years. He said he walked to the Leesburg area from Okahumpka and didn’t travel in her vehicle, the affidavit said. He said multiple times he felt remorseful for what happened but “would not provide any information regarding the incident itself,” the affidavit said.
“The defendant continued to deny involvement; however, the defendant wrote a four page ‘apology letter’ to the victim,” the document said.
The key police found on him when he was taken into custody was for his vehicle, not for the victim’s vehicle, he said, according to the document.
“At this time it is unknown if the key is actually for the victim’s vehicle,” an investigator wrote in the affidavit.
In the letter, the suspect also allegedly gave his grandmother instructions, “Tell (my son) that his daddy was wrong. Tell him always respect his grandma.”
He’s expected to appear in court on March 4.
