Police said 46-year-old Justin Alvaro Dematos did not have a prior criminal history before being taken into custody on Nov. 15. He was suspected of attempting to gain entry into a residence using the electronic keypad located just beside the front door.
Odd behavior by the suspect had become common for Dematos, according to his girlfriend.
She reported that he had a pattern of showing up at strangers’ homes and attempting to get inside. She reported that his mother was traveling from Boston to try to secure mental health treatment but arrived too late.
On Nov. 16, the day after his initial arrest, police believe Dematos attempted to gain entry to a home at roughly 12:05 a.m. The residents were awakened by dogs barking and the sound of their doorbell ringing as the stranger pushed the button.
Port Orange police detective Michael Wallace said that the homeowner from inside the residence told Dematos to leave. He initially walked away but then proceeded to the side of the home where he allegedly removed the screen on a bedroom window.
The homeowner warned Dematos for a second time, asking him why he was there. It was then that police believe the suspect attempted to enter through the window.
The suspect was shot once and died at the scene.
It is unfortunate that a man with apparent mental health issues did not get the help he needed in time. But that in no way excuses the alleged effort to break into a stranger’s home and apparently those of others as well.
When this happened, the homeowner was left with no choice but to defend life and property. If Dematos had walked away when first confronted at the front door, he would be alive today.
