Teen's Cool Head Leads To Quick Arrest Of Her Accused Attacker

HAINES CITY, FL – Just hours after a 15-year-old Haines City girl was attacked on her way to school, Haines City Police detectives had her accused assailant in custody.

Police Chief Jim Elensky said the bulk of credit should go to the victim who did everything right.

At 6:40 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, the teen was walking down the sidewalk along Grace Avenue on her way to Haines City High School when she saw a figure approaching her.

Due to heavy fog, she was unable to see the person clearly until he was just feet away. The man said, “Hi,” and continued walking by but the teen felt uncomfortable and looked behind her. The man had turned around and was walking back toward her, Elensky said.

To avoid the man, the teen got off the sidewalk and quickly began walking in a grassy area toward the high school, Elensky said. That’s when the man grabbed her by the neck from behind and forced her to the ground.

“She said she’d always been told to yell and fight back if she’s ever in this kind of situation, and that’s what she did,” Elensky said.

Her kicking, punching and screaming scared off her attacker.

When police arrived, the teen had red marks around her neck where her attacker attempted to strangle her. There were more hand prints on her shoulders where he grabbed her and threw her to the ground. She also was covered with dirt and grass but, for the most part, was uninjured, Elensky said.

It was the teen's detailed description of her assailant that allowed detectives to close the case so quickly, he said.

“She described him perfectly – 6 feet tall, thin build, medium complexion, in his 20s, clean-shaven with close-cropped curly hair,” Elensky said.

Detectives began looking at convicted sex offenders in the area who’d been recently released from prison, and one offender was a match.

Tristen Calixe, 22, lives half a mile away from where the girl was attacked. He was released from prison in December after serving time for attacking a 14-year-old Haines City girl in a similar manner 2015.

“The victim picked him out of a photo pack right away,” Elensky said.

Calixe was arrested at his home and charged with the attack. In an interview with detectives, he denied the charges.

But Elensky said he feels comfortable advising Haines City parents that their daughters can safely walk to school.

“Based on the evidence, I think we have the right guy,” he said.

Image via Haines City Police