A local homeless man was arrested this week after allegedly attacking a family visiting St. Augustine from Georgia, The Citizen has learned.
Officers with the St. Augustine Police Department responded around 4:30 p.m. Monday to reports of a disturbance near the intersection of Cordova Street and Cathedral Place.
According to a police report, the victims told arriving officers that the confrontation began as they were walking northbound on Cordova Street.
A woman reported that a man suddenly approached them from behind and grabbed her sister by the neck.
He then allegedly shoved the woman’s brother-in-law, causing him to stumble forward.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY PUNCHING TOURIST IN ST. AUGUSTINE
The situation escalated when another family member, who was holding a small child, confronted the man.
She told officers that he clenched his fists and threatened her.
Nearby witnesses then intervened after the group yelled for help, prompting the suspect to leave the area.
Dispatchers described the suspect as wearing a red jacket with “1993” on it, black pants, and brown shoes, and advised he may be near the Lightner Museum.
Police located and detained the 38-year-old man in the museum’s courtyard.
One of the victims later identified the suspect as the assailant.
The man told police that he approached the group after believing he heard someone say, “I’ll kill you.”
Police dismissed that account.
He was arrested and charged with one count of battery and one count of assault.
Authorities noted that the suspect has a prior battery conviction in Florida.
The criminal case is ongoing.
