A 14-year-old has been arrested in connection with a door-kicking prank in Deltona that resulted in the death of a family’s dog. Jerald “Trey” Lucas, from DeLand, was taken into custody at his school on charges of burglary and criminal mischief.
The incident occurred on December 20, when the homeowner returned to find her front door forced open and her three-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Spookie, missing. The dog was later discovered dead along the roadside after being struck by a vehicle while loose.
Investigators determined that several juveniles had attended a party nearby and participated in “ding dong ditch,” a game involving knocking or ringing doorbells before running away. Security footage from a neighbor captured audio related to the event. Authorities were able to identify Lucas as the individual who repeatedly kicked in the victim’s door, which allowed the dog to escape.
