Jackson Arnold (Charleston County Sheriff’s Office).
A South Carolina man thought it would be a good idea to “prank” his ex-girlfriend by allegedly sneaking into her house and hiding with a knife in her bathroom shower, where he lurked and waited for her to come home — without wearing pants or underwear, his face concealed by a pair of biker shorts — in an attempt to surprise the woman and “lighten the mood” after a text message spat, cops say.
Jackson Arnold, 25, was arrested and booked Sunday on charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, first-degree burglary, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to online court records. He is accused of sneaking into his ex’s home on Westway Drive in Charleston through a detached garage apartment while she was not home, local NBC affiliate WCBD reports.
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Arnold allegedly hid in the victim’s shower with the pair of biker shorts concealing his face until she returned to the residence, according to an arrest report obtained by WCBD. He was allegedly in possession of a knife, though it’s unclear what kind.
Police say Arnold exited the shower after his ex-girlfriend arrived back home and allegedly set upon her, using the knife to imitate stabbing and slicing moves on her throat, per WCBD.
He allegedly held the knife up toward the side of his head at one point, causing the victim to push Arnold away, cops say. The knife did not make contact with her skin during the alleged incident.
Police say that after the encounter, Arnold tossed the knife on the floor and started choking his ex with his left hand, causing her to stop breathing. “The victim was able to remove the shorts from the unknown male’s face,” the arrest report says, according to WCBD. “It was at that time she realized it was her ex-boyfriend,” cops add.
Arnold allegedly also told the woman that he was pranking her, and that he wanted to talk. She eventually ran in the main house and asked the family there to call 911, WCBD reported.
Arnold is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center as he awaits his initial court appearance. The proceeding is scheduled for June 19.
