Suspect caught hiding in the attic after armed break-in and vandalism of ex-girlfriend's home

DELAND, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - The Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported today that they arrested a man for breaking into his ex-girlfriend's DeLand-area home while armed with a handgun, fired a round inside the home, and then punched her in the face.

Police say deputies responded to the break-in around 12:01 a.m. on Thursday on Pecan Street in DeLand.

The victim, a 25-year-old woman, told deputies that the suspect, identified as Jonathan Craig Rollason-Elliott, 26, showed up unexpectedly, kicked in the front door, and started an argument with her. She also told police that he was carrying a handgun, which he pointed at her while he questioned her and screamed at her. He even fired one round at the ceiling, she said, and then punched her and left.

A later report by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office says that he ended up being arrested around 9:35 a.m. He was caught after he returned to the victim's home. A deputy was conducting an extra patrol of the area when he noticed the front door the victim's house as ajar and had been spray-painted. 

Deputies say they decided to clear the house and found it in disarray with the curtains cut and vulgar, derogatory comments spray-painted on the walls. This is when they found Rollason- Elliott hiding in the attic. Police say he surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody without incident.

The report shows that deputies recovered a .25-caliber Beretta handgun, a baggie of methamphetamine, and a smoking device from the suspect's attic hiding spot.

Rollason-Elliott was charged with armed burglary, possession of methamphetamine, criminal mischief, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault with a firearm, and domestic battery. 

Rollason-Elliott was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail.