Police: Teen stole gifts he gave girlfriend while they were dating
An 18-year-old Cambodian man wearing a Sean Connery mask allegedly entered an apartment at Charlestown Crossing in New Albany on Monday night and tied up his ex-girlfriend with duct tape.
Meng Theara — who had been staying with relatives in Louisville while on a visa — began dating the 16-year-old New Albany High School student after meeting her at her grandmother’s birthday party, Floyd County Sheriff Darrell Mills said.
“She broke up the relationship,” Mills said. “He told me he wanted to get his stuff back and wanted to scare her.”
Mills said Theara told him that he was wearing the mask of Sean Connery’s “James Bond” character so that she would not recognize him. Police are not sure why the girl let him in. Once inside the apartment, Theara allegedly duct-taped the girl’s hands and mouth. He also took property, including a cell phone, that he admitted to giving to her as gifts when the two were dating.
“She started struggling with him,” Mills said. “Neighbors heard the struggle and called 911.”
Floyd County Police Officer Phil Davis was in the area and located Theara within a minute of the 911 call, according to police.
The girl was “roughed up” and left taped up in the apartment, Mills said. Family members told police that they would get her medical treatment if she needed it.
Theara was found leaving the scene in a vehicle being driven by his cousin. Police have not charged the cousin because he said he had taken Theara to the apartment complex several times and did not know what had happened. The cousin helped translate for Theara, who speaks little English.
Theara was in Floyd County Superior Court No. 3 on Tuesday afternoon. Judge Maria Granger granted the prosecutor’s office a 72-hour continuance to file charges. An initial hearing was set for Thursday, and Theara is being held in the Floyd County Jail on $200,000 cash-only bond.
Mills said that Theara has a federal detainer because he is not an American citizen, so even if he posts bond, he will not be granted release. Police recommended Theara be charged with burglary resulting in bodily injury. He was booked into jail on preliminary charges of residential entry and criminal confinement.
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