Man Arrested After Allegedly Breaking Windows, Brandishing Machete in Domestic Dispute
Marion County deputies arrested a man over the weekend in a chaotic scene involving shattered windows, a machete, and a dramatic foot chase through the woods.
On January 5, deputies responded to a distress call from Marilynn Heslop, who reported that her ex-boyfriend, Lucky Mbatha, had just been released from jail and was attempting to force his way into her home. During the 911 call, dispatch reported hearing glass breaking, followed by Heslop pleading, “Please” and “No,” before going quiet.
Deputy Young arrived to find Mbatha holding Heslop with his arm around her shoulder near the roadway. Both insisted “he’s still inside,” but things took a turn when Heslop quietly revealed that Mbatha was, in fact, the suspect. When Deputy Young ordered him to submit to detention, Mbatha bolted, running eastward until a well-timed taser and some unforgiving vegetation ended his escape attempt.
The investigation revealed that Mbatha had allegedly smashed multiple windows to gain entry while armed with a machete. Heslop had managed to flee the home as Mbatha approached, questioning her about the presence of another man. The defendant reportedly told her to hang up the 911 call and stay quiet when deputies arrived.
In a post-arrest interview, Mbatha claimed he was trying to protect Heslop from being assaulted by another man—an allegation Heslop flatly denied. Despite his insistence that he only “knocked too hard” on the glass, deputies noted the extensive property damage and the machete.
Mbatha faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with a witness, hindering a victim from contacting 911, and resisting arrest without violence. No injuries were reported, though Mbatha’s pride may have taken a hit after tripping in the woods.
