A convicted sex offender was arrested after allegedly threatening to slice his grandparents’ throats and demanding their debit card.
A deputy responded to a robbery complaint that had occurred the day prior at an undisclosed Fruitland Park residence around 3:53 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, the deputy met with male victim who advised that his wife, the female victim, and their grandson, 36-year-old Kyle Davis Blowers, had just left the residence to go get gas. The deputy then spoke with the female complainant who stated she was able to get a location on the female victim and Blowers through a tracking app. She tracked the female victim’s phone to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., the report said.
Deputies and officers from the Fruitland Park Police Department responded and began canvassing the area for the vehicle, a blue Dodge Ram, the report said.
Meanwhile, the deputy continued speaking to the male victim. He explained that Blowers threatened him and his wife with a large knife and demanded money. This incident happened on Friday, Dec. 13, at about 9 p.m., the report said.
The two victims were lying in their bedroom watching television when Blowers came in and pointed a knife at them, saying, “I want the money, I need your debit card now, or I am going to slice your throats.” He was about 2 foot from the victims when he made the threat. The male victim feared for their lives, and his wife got out of bed to retrieve her debit card. She handed it to Blowers, at which point he left, the report said.
The male victim continued, advising that Blowers told the female victim that he wanted the debit card again on Sunday. She said no, she would go with him to get the money. The male victim did not see any weapons during this incident, the report said.
This was an ongoing issue, as there had been several times in the past when Blowers had brandished a weapon and demanded money from the two victims. The male victim also stated Blowers had been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but he had been off his medication since Dec. 12, the report said.
While on scene, the male victim gave the deputy a 4in kitchen knife. He initially stated that it was the knife used in the Dec. 13 incident. He also provided another 3in knife with a black handle and stated it was the correct one. Both were collected as evidence, the report said.
The deputy then made contact with the complainant who advised her father, the male complainant, had been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer. She and her mother, the female victim, had returned to town the night of Sunday, Dec. 8, the report said.
The complainant further stated Blowers had a history of stealing money and acting in a violent manner toward the two victims, the report said. She feared that if he was left alone with his grandparents, he would kill them. The female victim had confided in her that Blowers threatened her with a knife while demanding money and texted her a message that said, “Give me money or I will kill you.”
The FPPD subsequently found the vehicle as Blowers and the female victim were leaving the Walmart parking lot. She told deputies on scene that while inside the store, Blowers demanded she buy a $400 Apple gift card. Since she feared him, she did so, the report said.
The female victim went on to say that about three months ago, Blowers placed him hands around her neck and tried to choke her. Her neck was sore afterwards, but she did not struggle to breathe at any point. She also said he had previously taken $600, $300, $103.99 and $107 out of her bank account. She feared Blowers would kill her and her husband if released from jail, the report said.
The deputies then read Blowers his rights, which he waived. He admitted to brandishing a knife while demanding money from the victims, the report said.
Blowers was subsequently arrested on charges of robbery with weapon, simple battery on 65 or older (domestic) and grand theft. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $28,500.
The native of Indiana was also found guilty and convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in 2008.