ENGLEWOOD EAST — Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Sarasota man for stalking his ex-girlfriend and felony battery on her son who live on Stonecrop Avenue, Englewood East. Arrested was Eric John Lacko, 40, of the 2400 block of Post Road. Tuesday at 9:27 p.m., CCSO received a call from Lacko’s former girlfriend, who said he hit her 15-year-old son, called her 26 times, and sent 24 text messages threatening their lives. She showed deputies the messages. One read that he had a “gun and was going to end everyone’s lives.”

The victim told deputies her son was coming home with friends and saw her ex-boyfriend in his car in view of their home. Her son said he knew about the threatening calls, text messages, and stalking of his mother so he yelled at Lacko to “get out of here.” As the teen approached the car, Lacko reached out and struck him in the arm. The boy said he was scared and ran to his home to get his mother. When the mother and her son came outside, Lacko pulled into her driveway, got out screaming, “Bring it on!” The mother began calling CCSO and Lacko got back into his car. He made a U-turn in the neighbor’s front lawn, struck a culvert, and blew a tire. Lacko got out and ran away; however, deputies did locate him. He was then arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail, where a criminal history was checked and found Lacko has a prior conviction for assault and battery in 1994. The simple battery charged was upgraded to felony battery. He was also issued a trespass warning for him not to return, while a domestic violence order is being served. Lacko remains in jail on no bond.