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Jacksonville, FL - A 21-year-old man is facing a felony charge after allegedly driving his father’s car into the ocean at Jacksonville Beach early Wednesday morning during what police described as an act of retaliation.
According to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, the incident happened around 1:15 a.m. at Beach Proper North.
Investigators say the man had borrowed the car with permission but never returned it.
Frustrated and reportedly angry with his father, he allegedly tried to send the car into the water by using a cinder block to weigh down the gas pedal.
When that plan failed because the block got caught on the brake, he got behind the wheel himself.
The arrest report notes that the man turned on all the vehicle’s lights, ensured no pedestrians were nearby, and then drove the car straight into the ocean.
During the act, he allegedly smiled and expressed a desire to flip off both his father and his aunt, according to police records.
After leaving the scene, he returned to his mother’s residence, where authorities located him by tracking his phone.
He was later taken into custody without incident.
The suspect was not injured but was charged with felony criminal mischief.
His father chose to press charges and reported an estimated loss of $6,500 due to the damage.
Officials say the vehicle was recovered from the water, and the investigation remains ongoing.