A 59-year-old homeless woman was arrested after allegedly threatening to harm an Ocala Rural King employee with a metal rod and kicking a police officer who responded to the store.
At around 11:15 a.m. on Friday, June 27, an Ocala Police Department officer responded to the Rural King located at 2999 NW 10th Street after receiving reports of a disturbance. When the officer arrived at the store, a woman – later identified as Terry McNamara – was observed sitting next to the loading dock, according to the arrest report.
The officer noted that a metal rod was “tucked in with some plastic bags” at McNamara’s feet. When the officer dragged the metal rod away from McNamara, she responded by stating, “Don’t come near me.”
The report further stated that McNamara made “erratic statements” while speaking with the officer. Those statements allegedly included that she worked at 7-Eleven, performed community service at Taco Bell, and served in the Vietnam War as an ambulance driver.
A female employee/victim made contact with the officer and advised that she was working in the store when she became aware of a woman, McNamara, who was sitting near the loading dock. A customer had informed the victim that McNamara “had a metal rod” and was “waving it around,” according to the report.
The victim and two of her co-workers went to the back of the store and observed McNamara next to the loading dock. According to the report, the victim asked McNamara to leave the property and threatened to contact law enforcement if she refused.
McNamara allegedly stood up, grabbed the metal rod, and began “swinging it around” while approaching the victim. The victim alleged that McNamara got within approximately 10 feet of her while “violently swinging the rod” and threatening to “kill” her.
The officer spoke with the victim’s two co-workers, and they corroborated her statement.
The report stated an OPD corporal was also at the store and instructed McNamara to “get up” from the ground. McNamara allegedly “grabbed small tree branches” and attempted to throw them at the corporal. She then attempted to pull away from the corporal and officer as they both managed to secure her in handcuffs.
During a pat-down search, McNamara allegedly attempted to spit on the officer. According to the report, McNamara then kicked the officer’s right leg twice before being placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
McNamara was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where she is currently being held without bond. She is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, battery on an officer, and resisting an officer without violence.
On Tuesday, July 29, McNamara is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.