An Ocala man ended up behind bars last week after a violent battle with a bloodied store clerk over a $4.76 Natty Daddy beer.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies were called to the unnamed business this past Tuesday and when they arrived, the clerk said 44-year-old Mark Reginald Strozier had approached the counter with 60 cents to pay for the beer. The clerk said he told Strozier that wasn’t enough money to purchase the beer and he said he would come back with the correct amount, a sheriff’s office report states.
The clerk said he told Strozier to leave the beer inside the store but he left without paying for it. The clerk said he then exited the store and told Strozier not to come back and he was calling law enforcement, the report says.
At that point, the clerk said, Strozier charged at him and attempted to strike him in the face with his right fist. A scuffle ensued and the clerk ended up on the ground with his arms around Strozier, who was on top of him. He claimed Strozier attempted to gouge his eyes, which left bleeding lacerations on his face, the report says.
Strozier was located a short time later and positively identified by the clerk. A computer check showed that he had a prior conviction in Bell County Texas for assault causing bodily harm, the report says.
Strozier was then taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he was charged with battery (second or subsequent offense) and petit theft (first offense). He was being held on $5,000 bond and is due in court Dec. 23 at 9 a.m.