I will deal with it if y'all don't hurt her boyfriend. Yeah. Steal it from you and that's the thing I get for letting them move in. She >> come at me with the machete and bump into me and said I'll cut you up. >> And my machete swings. >> How's your machete swing? >> I'm being pushed. >> This body cam footage documents a disturbance response by the St. John's County Sheriff's Office in St. Augustine, Florida on July 9th, 2024. What began as a landlord tenant dispute quickly escalated into a serious criminal investigation. I was just got home. Literally just got home. Knocked on the door. I had my purse, my dog in my hand. >> I had my puppy in my hand. I had my um >> my book bag on my back and I had my machete in my hand with my jacket. >> Just did that. >> Hey, is he got guns in there? >> Maybe. >> This morning we woke up and my my my boyfriend was gone. Um you can look right here. Huh? >> We're just talking with a machete in my >> lirest. >> Calm down. Remember, >> I will deal with it if y'all don't. >> I want her arrested. She's threatening me. I got witnesses with a machete in my living room with a machete. Pull on me in my living. >> We got sorted out. I'm out on bomb for the same aggravation ass daily weapon. The deal is I want her to take it out of here. >> Don't go back in the house. We're investigating something. >> I got witnesses. >> We'll work with it. >> Happy to talk to you. >> You just need to calm down. >> Okay. Okay. I'm I'm sorry. I'm upset. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> And she owes me 370 right now and she's a freeloading [ __ ] >> Sorry, sack of [ __ ] >> Okay. >> Take it down. You remember? We got to go report me and you >> remember me? >> Yes, sir. I do. Have I ever wronged you? >> No, you're good. Officer, I respect you. I'm sorry for being this way. I'm upset. >> I understand. >> Break the rest right now. >> Not on my sight med neither. >> Let's come on this side of the grass. Let's chill out just a little. >> I'm not armed. I'm not. >> You're good. >> Haven't threatened her. She my living room. Brother, >> you don't got to explain to me. I understand what's going on. You understand how that has to work. We have to have cooperation. >> I got no witnesses. We need >> We need We need the victim. Listen, I'm not going to speak over you. You're alleging to be the victim of this. Correct. Legend. Yes. She threatened me right my living room with three witnesses. >> Soon we're going to have to leave because you're not cooperating with us. Do you understand? >> So here's the deal. >> Y'all take me to jail for the same. >> I don't want to repeat myself. I've never wronged you. I always treat you with respect and kindness. >> Whatever. >> No, no, no, no. Whatever. >> If I go do anything, can I go inside and just >> No, I want out of >> Can you please just listen to me for a second? >> I'm trying. >> Let's not interrupt me. I'm very upset. >> The last person you want to interrupt because I've always been nice to you. >> I'm sorry. >> Explain. >> You're you're the alleged victim of this, correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I don't care about a witness. We need the victim to cooperate. >> Okay. >> That's all that matters. >> But in order to do that, >> deputies are dispatched to a reported physical disturbance involving a woman attempting to force her way back into a residence after being asked to leave. The homeowner, a disabled veteran, tells deputies he evicted the tenant for unpaid rent and alleged theft of his belongings. >> And I just gave my landlord $1,200. She's riding on my dollar on my back for 3 months, four months now, four weeks now with not paying nothing. Has stole all my dishes and [ __ ] in the house. I don't have half the silverware I had, glasses, plates, all kinds of gone missing. Food out of my house. Every time I put something in the refrigerator, they get it without asking or anything and use my dishes and leaves them dirty because they'reing pigs. I'd hate to see their when they get off the [ __ ] toilet. They're soing scummy. >> So, what happened today? >> Nothing. She just all of a sudden showed up and I said, "You, when are y'all going to pay rent?" She said, "You eat a dick. I ain't paying you nothing." And pulled a machete on me and threatened me. >> How big was this mic machete? >> About this long. >> Is it still in the house? >> Huh? She had it. I don't know where it is. Be quiet. >> Be quiet. We're talking to him. Be quiet. >> Do you want to go in the car? >> No. >> So, you need to shut up. >> I was just letting you know. >> Shut up. We're talking to one person at a time. You're not going to interject us. >> Okay. So, >> she told me she bumped it, run up, throw me into me, and said she had cut me up. >> Bumped it. How? There was a poke at you. >> She come at me with a machete and bumped into me and said, "I'LL CUT YOU UP." THAT'S WHAT SHE DID. >> We're just getting the details. I WOULD BE IN CUFFS RIGHT NOW IF I IF THAT somebody said I did that. I'd be in cuffs, right? >> We have we have a thorough investigation. >> Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm calming down. >> That's how the sheriff office operates. >> We're talking to you. >> I'm sorry. I need to calm down. I'm sorry. >> So, she came at you. She bumped into you with >> Yeah. She chest bumped me. Check bump me like a check in basketball. >> Okay. >> And with a machete in her hand. Said, "I'll cut you up." >> Okay. And then what happened? >> I'd screaming, "Get the out OF MY HOUSE. CALL 911." AND she came out >> and she went out to get her dog. She kept holding my door open for my AC to blow out cuz she ain't paying electric or nothing. I said, "Shut my door." And I shut my door. When she went out to get her dog, I saw my door and locked it. >> Did she still have the machete in her hand when she came? >> Yes, she did. >> He further reports that during the confrontation, the woman allegedly threatened him with a machete. Reports involving weapons immediately elevate officer response and safety considerations. are entering me for four weeks right now freeloading and stealing my right out of my house. Her and her boyfriend. Yeah. Stealing from me. And that's the thank I get for letting them move in. >> That's how long she's lived here. Four weeks, >> ma'am. >> That's how long she's lived here. Four weeks. >> No, they paid the first two weeks. 6 weeks. They've been here all together. >> All right. >> They paid the first two weeks to just stop hand and steal my [ __ ] eat my food, just be as slobly dirty. Don't wipe their ass with stinking pigs. >> I don't know anybody. >> Is it consistent? >> Huh? >> Is your story consistent? the other people inside, but I don't know who they are. >> Yeah, but she witnessed it or not. >> Yeah. >> Is her story consistent sequence of events? >> I didn't hear. >> They said that he chest bumped her and then had the machete raised the machete up and said, "I'm up and she pointed it out." She was cut you up. >> And he said, "I have reason all that." But he started over. >> He said this all started with Ren cuz he's tired for freeloading. >> Yeah. Yeah. That I mean >> that's tracking. She's saying that except her out the door though >> and then she >> she was banging on the front >> and then I went to the back to try to get out but I couldn't >> secure her. >> Upon arrival, deputies separate the involved parties. This is standard procedure to deescalate tensions and gather independent statements. Deputies interview the victim and available witnesses. Consistency across statements is a key factor in determining probable cause. Okay. Put that down. Put >> What is that in your hand? >> Mine. >> Put it down. >> Why? >> Cuz you're putting in handcuffs for >> Why? Can I say I'm going to jail? >> Don't Don't resist. >> Why am I going to jail? >> I need to walk in my voice. >> Relax. >> You don't have to be so You pulled away from me. >> No, I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. I was trying to hang out. >> I didn't grab you or pull away. >> No, but I was trying to hang on my phone. >> Be quiet. >> Will you grab my phone? >> Be quiet. >> I'm sorry. I did not want to be out of here. >> She hold. Will you grab my >> Yo, can you be quiet? >> Can you be quiet? >> Yeah. I got to put my sunglasses on. >> Yes. I did not do nothing. >> I did not do anything. >> Do me a favor. I know you want a landscape clean, but just Yeah. >> Yeah. Just leave it alone right now. Okay. >> I'm just nervous. >> I know. Just Just take a breath. Can you go get my boyfriend? >> No. >> All right. Let's go to the car real quick. >> My dog. >> I don't know where to go. Like I have video footage of him stealing from me and everything. >> Today's incident is >> Yeah. >> He grabbed my phone from the grass. >> I can find it. >> Just say [laughter] this. Listen, can you tell me I need I need >> You just need to You just need to do me a favor. Ready? Real quick. Just >> real quick. Just And then sit in this car. You're being detained and we're going to go from there. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. I need to talk to one of y'all though. But >> submit that for Prince >> cuz he said that she had the entire time. >> Yeah. It fits with the the description. The >> after deputies evaluate the totality of circumstances, statements, admissions, witness accounts, and the presence of a deadly weapon, the suspect admits to holding a machete during the dispute. She claims it swung accidentally after being pushed, disputing the intent behind the action. Based on consistent testimony and evidence, deputies determine there is probable cause to make an arrest. Listen, can I need to talk to you, please? I'm not >> After I read you something, sir. Okay, relax. Okay. >> You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you questions and have them with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer questions without a lawyer present, you'll still have the right to stop answer any time. >> You also have the right to stop answer any time until you talk to a lawyer. Do you understand each of these rights if I explain to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to me? >> Yes. >> Okay. Real quick, I'm going to ask a series of questions. I just need your cooperation. And honesty is the best policy. We have two people with consistent stories and your your little, you know, whatever you talk to him about is kind of sound like the truth. >> And he said, "Got if whatever that song goes, if you're knocking, don't come in or whatever." And I said, "Please let me in." He said, "Um, I'm going to go knock on my window." I don't know if you heard me or not, but I come back to the uh door. I knock again. Nugget is running with Bella. So, I'm yelling at Nugget. I grab I grab picked her up, went to knock on the door again. He wouldn't let me in. I wouldn't >> Are you outside the house the entire time? >> Yes. I went Yes. The door was the doors unlocked. The back door. So, I go to this window. I knock on it twice. They didn't um I guess because of all the commotion, they didn't want to answer it. So, then that's whenever I went to pull out my phone. He finally opened it. I go inside. I'm yelling at Nugget. I'm right there at the back the front door literally with my back on it and he goes to push me out the door and um um I drop my dog and I drop my back my my sweaters or whatever. They're soaking wet and my machete swings. I did not I swear on >> Why does your machete swing? >> Cuz he pushed me. I went >> Why do you have a machete in your hand? >> I I just told you I picked it up by the window cuz it was outside my window. >> So you picked up a machete during conflict? >> No, there was no conflict. I was trying. >> You said he wasn't letting you in. >> No, I didn't know it was going to be like that. Like, I did not know that. I swear. >> You didn't know? So, you're obviously he's not letting you in. There's conflict going on. You armed yourself with a machete. >> I thought No, I did not. No, there was no conflict at that point in time. I did not cuz he does this all the time. He leaves the door at all points. He don't answer it sometimes. You know what I'm saying? This is an ongoing thing. I can show you video footage. Huh? >> How long have you been living here? >> A few months. I've been trying to find somewhere to go. He He comes to my door the other night and slaps the door. That's why I had to call the first time. And y'all, it's a man um I made a report. He slapped the door and um he got beat up in my room by boyfriend. And >> no, we we care about today. >> I understand. I'm trying to explain to you what like Oh, no. >> No past actions would lead you to today. I did not swing the I just had all of my stuff in my hand and I went to go I I went I tripped like whenever he pushed me, you know, out the door. I tripped cuz I had all my stuff in my hand. I literally You can see how much stuff I had in my hand is in my back. >> You tripped with the machete in your hand. >> Yeah, I went to Cuz he pushed me. >> Can you please try to control the spit? >> I'm I can't help it. Sorry. I'm thirsty, too. He pushed me. So when I went to fall, pretty much catch myself. I didn't like him. I swear on everything, put it on my daughter. I promise you. I didn't I I don't even talk to him hardly. >> The suspect is arrested and charged with battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Both felony offenses under Florida law. Deputies also learn the suspect was already out on bond for a prior similar offense. Information that may be relevant during court proceedings. If convicted, each felony charge carries potential penalties of up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. This case highlights how civil disputes can quickly become criminal matters when weapons are involved. Law enforcement decisions are driven by evidence, not personal disputes.