On March 31, a Florida man allegedly approached a stranger who was tending to the landscaping at his home and attacked the man with the gardening shears he had been working with.
Around 5:00 p.m. on Saturday while a man was gardening in his front yard he was reportedly caught by surprise when someone with whom he had no prior acquaintance allegedly began attacking him until his gardening shears were taken from his possession. The assailant then used the tool to stab the victim in the head until a passerby intervened and tried to take possession of the shears.
The alleged attacker ran away and headed toward the nearby Choctawhatchee Bay where he reportedly entered the water naked and remained there until four Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived. The deputies worked to subdue the suspect but the man began to struggle and was said to have attempted to pull one of the officers underwater.
When questioned, the man did not want to disclose his name to the officers, but they identified him as 26-year-old John Botelho of Crestview. Botelho was placed under arrest and is facing felony charges of resisting an officer with violence, aggravated battery on a person using a deadly weapon, and battery on a law enforcement officer. He remains in Walton County Jail in lieu of $5000 bond.
The victim was given medical treatment and in addition to losing a few teeth, he reportedly required twenty staples to close the wound left on his head.
If you or someone you love is suspected of battery, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.