Man chased kids with car after 'ding dong ditch' prank: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Background: The 1200 block of 28th Ave North in Naples, Florida (Google Maps) Inset: John Albanos (Collier County Sheriff”s Office)

Children performing a “ding dong ditch” prank suddenly feared for their lives when one neighbor chased them down with his car, authorities said.

John Albanos, 51, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony. He was arrested on Saturday.

Officers from the Naples Police Department reported that they arrived at the scene around 8:45 p.m. on the 1200 block of 28th Avenue North in Naples, Florida. They were responding to a call about a man who was reportedly “chasing kids on scooters.”

Three children informed an officer that they had been “ding dong ditching” in the area, which features a mobile home and RV park. They said a resident suddenly emerged from a house, got into their vehicle, and started pursuing them, according to a probable cause affidavit. Among the children, one was 11 years old and another was 12, while the age of the third child was unspecified.

The kids shared with authorities that they quickly got back on their scooters and were heading to one of their homes when they noticed a car was speeding towards them. In an effort to evade the vehicle, later identified as being driven by Albanos, they veered off the road into a nearby yard.

The affidavit maintains that they feared for their lives.

“The three victims stated that Albanos was yelling at them and swerving the vehicle in the direction they were in,” the document states. “All three victims said they had to move out of the way multiple times in fear of getting hit by the car.”

The police officers also made contact with the witness who had initially called them. A neighbor told officers that he heard yelling coming from outside his home and “observed a vehicle speeding behind two boys on scooters.” The neighbor further saw the vehicle “turn around and travel directly at the victims at high speed onto a neighboring driveway.”

The witness recounted that he ran outside and tried to get the suspect to stop chasing the minors and instead focus on him. This appeared to work, as Albanos “started yelling at him and turned the vehicle towards him.” The witness’ wife came out of their house and told the suspect she called 911, and he drove away.

When officers arrived at Albanos’ home, he didn’t deny chasing them, per the affidavit.

“Officers arrived at Albano’s residence, and he stated he wanted to put the fear of god into the victims but said he didn’t want to actually hit the victims with his vehicle,” the document states.

The male witness later “positively identified” Albanos as the suspect, and Albanos was arrested and brought to the Naples Jail Center to be processed. Parents for two of the children shared their desire to press charges against him.

Court records show Albanos paid the $5,000 bond to be released from jail. He is set to be arraigned in court on Aug. 4.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Immigrants Launch Lawsuit Against Trump Administration for Arrests at Courthouses

Background: A man feels unwell when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…

‘Slenderman’ Attacker Set for Release from Psychiatric Facility Ten Years After Attempted Murder of Classmate

A woman from Wisconsin, who was 12 years old when she almost…

Teen Arrested for Allegedly Strangling Paddleboarder and Abandoning Body on Isolated Island

On Wednesday, Maine police arrested a 17-year-old boy for killing a woman…

Judge Criticizes Trump Administration’s DOJ for Attempting to Conceal MS-13 Case Dismissal

FILE – President Donald Trump addresses the press on Friday, June 27,…

“Trump Denies Wishing Epstein a Happy Birthday: Claims ‘May Each Day Be Another Delightful Surprise'”

A collection of letters gifted to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday…

Trump Requests Judge to Reject Mary Trump’s Discovery Request

Left: Mary Trump discussing her book “Who Could Ever Love You: A…

‘Right Shoe Heist’ Concludes as Man Charged with Stealing 53 Right-Foot Shoes

A man who allegedly stole 53 right shoes from a small family-run…

BREAKING NEWS: Autistic Child Discovered in Dumpster—Mother’s Ex-Boyfriend Suspected in Death

California police arrested a man on Wednesday, days after his ex-girlfriend’s 5-year-old…

Three Teens Convicted for Assisting Girl in Plot Against Parents

News footage of the scene in Sawyer, Okla., where Curtis Lee Martin…

Gainesville Resident Faces Charges of Kidnapping, Burglary, and Stalking Following Alleged Attack on Ex-Girlfriend and Incident Involving 7-Year-Old

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Davongelo Cortez Kimbrough, 33, was taken into…

Teenager Flees Police and Causes Fatal Crash, Killing Father of Two

Left: Daniel Shane Canales appears via Zoom for his arraignment on July…

Board Deems Doctor a ‘Public Threat’ Following Death of Two Infants

Dr. Yolanda Lagunas (Lagunas” website). A Texas physician with almost 40 years…