An Ocala man was arrested after being caught on video shoving a man he accused of stealing from him.
Anthony Joseph Russo, 61, of 14871 SW 20th Pl., was charged with battery after the incident, which happened Sunday night inside a shop at the victim’s residence on SW 167th Avenue. The victim told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy that Russo accused him of stealing a winch and possibly some other things from him and became very verbal, according to the arrest report.
The victim said Russo said, “I’m going to (expletive deleted) you up,” and then shoved him backwards. The victim said he grabbed a knife for self defense and held onto it until Russo left, according to the report.
The victim showed the deputy surveillance footage from cameras he has mounted in his shop. The video shows the victim standing in front of Russo and they appeared to be arguing. In the video, Russo stepped forward towards the victim and shoved him back with both hands, causing the victim to stumble backwards, according to the report.
The victim was adamant that he wanted to press charges and wanted Russo arrested. When contacted at his home, Russo said the victim disrespected him, so he pushed him back. Russo said the victim then grabbed a knife and was pointing it at him and threatening him, but no further altercation occurred, according to the report.
Russo was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released Monday on $500 bond. He will appear in Marion County Court on May 15.