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 with the Naples Police Department said they arrived that day around 8:45 p.m. to the 1200 block of 28th Avenue North in Naples, Florida. They had been called about a man allegedly “chasing kids on scooters.”
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Three minors told a responding officer that they were “ding dong ditching” in the neighborhood – which includes a mobile home and RV park – “when one of the residents came out of the house, got into their vehicle and began to chase them,” according to a probable cause affidavit. One of the kids was 11 years old and another was 12, while the third child’s age is unclear.
The three children told authorities they hopped back on their scooters and were heading back to one of their houses when they realized a car was speeding toward them. They said they drove off the road into a nearby yard to get away from the driver – later alleged to be Albanos.
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.
