Deputies busted a Florida man lurking in a neighborhood with a ski mask who made a chilling confession about his ex-girlfriend.
The 20-year-old admitted to a disturbing pattern of behavior that had been going on for months.
And a Florida man was caught in a ski mask outside his ex’s home with this terrifying collection of items.
Man wearing ski mask
Late Sunday night in Deltona, Florida, Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies spotted something suspicious – a young man walking through a neighborhood trying to conceal his face with his hands while wearing a ski mask on his head.
The area around Fort Smith Boulevard and E Normandy Boulevard had seen a spike in car break-ins and burglaries in recent weeks, so deputies were on high alert during their patrol around 11:30 p.m.
When they approached 20-year-old Jalen Vallejos, what started as a routine stop quickly turned into something much more disturbing.
Vallejos initially told deputies he was simply out for a walk because he suffered from insomnia and was hiding his face with his hands because he was "cold."
Deputies quickly discovered this was far from the truth.
Upon questioning, Vallejos admitted he was actually on his way to his ex-girlfriend’s house – to watch her sleep through her window.
"I just watch her from the outside," Vallejos told deputies in body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office.
But what made this confession even more chilling was his admission that this wasn’t a one-time occurrence.
According to deputies, Vallejos confessed that he had been secretly watching his ex-girlfriend sleep for the past six to eight months.
The items Vallejos had in his possession painted an even more sinister picture.
Deputies found him carrying a knife and lock-picking tools, along with gloves in his pocket.
Nearby, they located his father’s truck, which Vallejos had used to drive to the neighborhood.
Inside the vehicle was a backpack containing duct tape, wire cutters, spray paint, and a sledgehammer.
Bone-chilling admission
When questioned about these items, Vallejos made the bone-chilling admission that he "wasn’t sure of his intentions on this night, but was afraid his actions could escalate," according to the sheriff’s office.
Even more alarming, he reportedly told deputies he would potentially use the sledgehammer to break through a door or use it against the victim’s father if confronted.
"I’m afraid," Vallejos responded when asked if his actions could escalate beyond watching.
Deputies also learned that Vallejos had vandalized his ex-girlfriend’s home back in April, which he freely admitted during questioning.
According to the arrest report, Vallejos and his ex-girlfriend dated from 2022 until about six months ago.
She had ended the relationship and made it clear she no longer wished to see him, but he repeatedly tried to contact her by phone and showed up at her residence despite being told to stop.
Neighbors in the area where Vallejos had parked his truck expressed shock when they learned what had happened.
"I’m actually quite astounded," one resident told local news outlet WKMG ClickOrlando. "Everyone who parks over here usually asks for permission from the neighbors, but to have someone unrelated, it’s something that makes you think about what’s going on in the area."
Another resident simply stated, "My anxiety just went up."
Vallejos was arrested and faces multiple serious charges, including aggravated stalking, attempted armed burglary, loitering or prowling, possession of burglary tools, and criminal mischief.
He was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he is being held without bond.
This disturbing case highlights the serious nature of stalking and the potential for escalation in such situations.
Law enforcement experts often warn that stalking behavior can be a precursor to more violent crimes, making the deputy’s intervention potentially life-saving.
The quick action by Volusia County deputies may have prevented a dangerous situation from developing into something far worse.
