The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Since 2016, McDonald’s has diminished the presence of Ronald McDonald as the main mascot for their brand. Still, on the afternoon of March 24, the character was seen at the Interchange Plaza shopping center in Palm Bay when a man put on a Ronald costume and visited the marketplace. Dressing like the iconic clown was likely enough to catch the attention of plaza patrons. But, as noted in the police report, the man, who was reportedly previously banned from the premises, was also allegedly “yelling to himself, and was loitering.”
The authorities were notified about the situation, and just before 3:30 PM, officers from the Palm Bay Police Department went to the mall to investigate. When they arrived, they found the person in the costume standing beside a bicycle in front of a store. He was identified as a 40-year-old local man who is currently without permanent housing. The police released footage from the officers’ body-worn cameras and said it showed that the suspect was immediately uncooperative and had to be held on the ground before the officers were able to cuff him. One of the officers can also be seen removing an orange toy gun from the man’s back pocket.
The suspect, who has a list of priors that started in 2010, was booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex. He is facing preliminary charges of felony resisting officers with violence, and misdemeanor trespassing. According to facility records, he is currently being held in lieu of a $5,500 bond, and his arraignment is scheduled in the middle of April.
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.