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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Silver Springs woman says voices told her to take the money and run

Avril Renee Toye

A Silver Springs woman jailed last month for stealing an electric cart from Wal-Mart said voices in her head told her to take cash out of an employee’s purse and run from a Silver Springs pizza restaurant, and then punch the woman in the face when she tried to get her money back.

Avril Renee Toye, 28, who lives at the Silver River Inn, 5565 E. Silver Springs Blvd., was charged with simple battery and petit theft of between $100 and $300 after the incident, which happened around 7:30 p.m. Monday at Silver Springs Pizza, 5545 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Toye was previously charged Dec. 8 with grand theft after she drove off from an Ocala Wal-Mart in an electric-powered shopping cart.

The victim told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy that Toye came into the restaurant looking for free pizza. The victim said she went to speak with her manager about giving Toye some food when she heard coins hitting the ground. She said she looked back where Toye was sitting and saw her taking $120 out of her pink purse, according to the sheriff’s office report.

The victim said she went to confront Toye and Toye became irate. The victim aid she was standing in front of the exit and Toye pushed through her to leave the restaurant. The victim said she chased Toye back to her room asking for her money back. She said when they got to the room, Toye’s roommate opened the door and punched the victim in the face with a closed fist before going inside the room, the report said.

The deputy observed the victim’s left hand had a laceration and swollen fingers. She victim also had lacerations on her face below her left eye and scratch marks on her neck. The victim said the injuries were caused by Toye during the incident. She said she is still missing $120 in cash, according to the report.

A witness said she saw Toye taking money out of the victim’s pink purse and putting it in her pocket. She also saw Toye push and punch the victim, the report said.