A man who went berserk at an Ocala Wawa found himself behind bars Monday night after he “chucked” his sandwich into the minimart manager’s face.
An Ocala Police officer was called to the Wawa at 3312 W Silver Springs Blvd. and on the way made contact with 28-year-old Bernard Joseph Brown, who admitted to being at the store. He was detained and the deputy then went to speak with the manager, who said Brown took a sandwich wrap valued at $4.49 from the refrigerated kiosk and went to the cashier.
The manager said she heard Brown ask the cashier a question, to which she replied, “I can’t do that.” He then asked for mayonnaise, grabbed the wrap and ran out the door, a sheriff’s office report states.
A short time later, Brown returned to the Wawa with the half-eaten wrap and sat outside. The manager said she asked Brown to pay for the wrap or just leave the store and not return. She said Brown refused, stood up and started making “aggressive statements” about being accused of stealing, the report says.
The manager said Brown then grabbed the wrap and threw it at her full strength, hitting her face, neck and shirt. The officer noted red marks on the left side of the manager’s face and neck, along with salad dressing all over her shirt. She said she then called a male employee for help and Brown fled the area, the report says.
The officer searched Brown and found a crack pipe in his shoe. He was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with battery, petit theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held on $3,000 bond and is due in court Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. to answer to the charges.