DeLand, FL - A man in DeLand punched his own mother in the face, took her car, eventually surrendered to police, and was taken into custody on Monday.
Just after 2 PM on Monday, police responded to an incident on Marsh Rd. in DeLand, where police say 20-year-old Nicholas Karpowicz punched his mother, Mariola Karpowicz, without saying anything, stole the keys to her car, and took off with her vehicle. The son did not have permission to take the vehicle and does not have a valid driver's license. He does live with his mother.
When deputies arrived, they noticed that the mother had dried blood on her arms and face, according to police reports. She said she did not need medical attention, but a deputy called Fire Rescue on scene, and the woman was medically treated when Fire Rescue arrived.
Deputies later found the son driving recklessly in the stolen Toyota FJ Cruiser. According to Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO), he was recognized since he is known to VCSO patrol deputies. The son was running stop signs and red lights. VCSO attempted to stop him, but he failed to stop.
Patrol deputies lost sight of the vehicle, but Air One was able to track it and follow it south to Orange City. An Orange City Police Officer used stop sticks to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle eventually stopped at East Gardenia Ave. and South Volusia Ave. in Orange City.
Nicholas Karpowicz was taken into custody and is charged with robbery, grand theft, domestic battery, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license.
(Karpowicz's mugshot courtesy Volusia County jail)
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