A 62-year-old Marion County man is facing a felony battery charge after he allegedly threw several unopened beer cans at a cashier inside a local convenience store.
On Friday, September 13, at around 9:10 p.m., a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched to the Mobil gas station located at 13530 E Highway 25 in Ocklawaha in reference to an altercation. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with a female cashier who advised that she had gotten into an argument with a man, identified as Dennon West Mills, according to the arrest report.
The cashier/victim told the deputy that Mills was a regular customer, and she added that they had previously gotten into arguments while inside the convenience store. When asked about the most recent incident, the victim advised that Mills approached the counter while holding two full, unopened beer cans in his hands.
According to the victim’s statement, Mills proceeded to throw both beer cans at her, and one of the cans struck her hand.
The deputy noted in the report that the convenience store’s video surveillance footage showed Mills “tossing the can in his right hand onto the counter.” He then “appeared to throw the can in his left hand, with force, at the victim.”
The following day, several deputies made contact with Mills at his home located on SE 133rd Terrace in Ocklawaha. After being read his Miranda rights, Mills allegedly admitted to “slinging the beer cans up on the counter” during the incident at the convenience store.
Mills further claimed that he “did not intend to hit the victim” with the beer cans, according to the report.
A criminal history search of Mills revealed that in 2009, he was convicted of battery in Marion County.
Mills was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $2,000 bond. He is being charged with battery (second or subsequent offense).
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15, according to jail records.