A Flagler County man was arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman just minutes before an open house. It should have been just another day of work for one real estate agent in this Palm Coast neighborhood on Saturday. But, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says that changed when 78-year-old Luis Carlos Da Silva stopped by a home for sale. “The next thing she knows this man entered the home, uninvited, and made a couple of comments to her that it’s not safe for someone to be alone in his house,” said Staly. Staly says the man then grabbed her hand, pulled the woman in, and began kissing her. In the arrest affidavit, it states Da Silva held her “tight in his arms to the point she was unable to free herself.” She told him to stop and was pushing him away, and was able to break free and told him to leave, ” he added. Da Silva allegedly told the woman, “I’ll talk to you soon” — then took one of her business cards and left. She then called for help. When deputies arrived at the home, they said the woman’s face was flushed, her eyes were wide, and she was trembling. Despite her fear, she was able to give deputies a description of Da Silva and his car. Over an hour later, deputies found Da Silva; Da Silva is now facing two charges. One for simple battery and another for burglary of a residence with assault and battery. The sheriff reminds realtors if they see something, say something “If you don’t feel comfortable, call the local police or sheriff’s office and let them respond and just check it out,” said Staly. “We would rather do that than have to investigate a serious crime where you’re the victim.”
A Flagler County man was arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman just minutes before an open house.
It should have been just another day of work for one real estate agent in this Palm Coast neighborhood on Saturday. But, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says that changed when 78-year-old Luis Carlos Da Silva stopped by a home for sale.
“The next thing she knows this man entered the home, uninvited, and made a couple of comments to her that it’s not safe for someone to be alone in his house,” said Staly.
Staly says the man then grabbed her hand, pulled the woman in, and began kissing her. In the arrest affidavit, it states Da Silva held her “tight in his arms to the point she was unable to free herself.
“She told him to stop and was pushing him away, and was able to break free and told him to leave,” he added.
Da Silva allegedly told the woman, “I’ll talk to you soon” — then took one of her business cards and left. She then called for help.
When deputies arrived at the home, they said the woman’s face was flushed, her eyes were wide, and she was trembling. Despite her fear, she was able to give deputies a description of Da Silva and his car.
Over an hour later, deputies found Da Silva; he denied ever being aggressive with her.
Da Silva is now facing two charges. One for simple battery and another for burglary of a dwelling with assault and battery.
The sheriff reminds realtors if they see something, say something.
“If you don’t feel comfortable, call the local police or sheriff’s office and let them respond and just check it out,” said Staly. “We would rather do that than have to investigate a serious crime where you’re the victim.”