The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Florida homeowners association president was accused of pushing a 12-year-old boy off a bicycle and briefly taking the bike after a confrontation near a community clubhouse.
The incident allegedly happened Tuesday evening inside a fly-in residential community in Port Orange. The neighborhood is known for allowing residents to keep private aircraft near their homes. Investigators said the alleged victim had recently moved to the area from Texas and had been riding his bicycle around the clubhouse before stopping near the tennis courts because he was tired.
According to the authorities, the boy later told deputies he noticed the HOA president staring at him and making what he described as a strange facial expression. The child allegedly responded by making an obscene gesture before attempting to leave the area on his bicycle.
The authorities said the HOA president then allegedly pushed the boy off the bicycle and demanded to know if the child understood who he was, allegedly identifying himself as the president of the HOA. Investigators said the man then picked up the bicycle, placed it inside his vehicle, and drove away from the area.
The alleged victim reportedly ran home crying and told his grandfather what happened. A short time later, the grandfather located the HOA president with the bicycle still reportedly inside his vehicle and demanded it be returned. According to investigators, the request initially led to an argument before the bicycle was eventually given back.
When deputies later spoke with the HOA president, he allegedly claimed there had been ongoing problems with juveniles gathering near the clubhouse. He reportedly told deputies he intended to turn the bicycle over to security after the boy left it behind. Investigators said he denied assaulting the child.
Deputies noted redness on the boy’s arm during the investigation. The HOA president was later arrested on charges of child abuse and petit theft before being taken to the county jail. He has since posted bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.