Florida man claims he ‘blacked out’ on meth, PCP before trying to carjack contractor at gunpoint: PCSO

WAHNETA, Fla. - A Polk County K-9 helped catch an attempted carjacker who is accused of threatening a Frontier Communications contractor at gunpoint before running into the woods.

Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were sent to the intersection of 1st Street West and Rifle Range Road in Wahneta around 4:20 p.m. on Thursday to investigate a report of an armed disturbance.

According to deputies, a Frontier Communications contractor told them he was near the dead end of 3rd St. West when a Hispanic man approached his work vehicle and threatened him with a handgun.

Deputies noted that the victim’s vehicle doors were locked, so the suspect could not get inside.

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The victim left the area and called 911.

K-9 units discovered a man matching the suspect’s description at 103 Bomber Road, but when deputies approached him, he ran into a wooded area.

Erasuro Mascorro Jr. mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

He didn't get far though. K-9 Ketchum was able to capture the man, who has been identified as 30-year-old Erasuro Mascorro Jr.

The victim positively identified Mascorro as the carjacker who threatened him with a handgun, and Mascorro was arrested.

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When interviewed by detectives, Mascorro claimed he did not remember the incident because he "blacked out" and he admitted to using both PCP and meth earlier in the day.

"Erasuro Mascorro is a very dangerous individual," stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "Not only does he admit to using illegal drugs, but he has a history of violence, and is now known to be armed. I’m proud of my deputies who were able to quickly apprehend this fleeing felon before he seriously hurt anyone. He is a danger to the community, and the hard-working citizens of Polk County need him behind bars."

Mascorro has been charged with attempted armed carjacking, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and resisting arrest.

His criminal history includes arrests for possession of methamphetamines, battery on a pregnant woman, and child abuse.

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

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