An Ocala man was arrested for disorderly intoxication after allegedly hitting a Walmart employee outside on a smoke break.
Officers responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., Leesburg, regarding a battery around 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
Upon arrival, a FPPD officer met with a Leesburg Police Department officer near the Walmart Liquor Store, located at 1112 S. Dixie Ave. The LPD officer advised that they responded in reference to two subjects, one of which was later identified as 31-year-old Daniel Malik Vazquez, causing a scene in the parking lot, resulting in one of the subjects striking a Walmart employee, the report said.
One of the asset protection employees stated she was outside for a smoke break in the Walmart break area outside the building on the northern side. Two seemingly intoxicated male subjects, including Vazquez, approached her. Vazquez asked for a cigarette, to which she said no, and they walked away, the report said.
The victim then came outside to take her break as well, the report said. Vazquez began taking off his shirt while yelling at the asset protection employee and the victim. He approached them, yelling, “Why are they looking at me?”
The victim stated, “Because you are making a scene.” Vazquez started to swing his arms, subsequently striking her in the face, the report said.
The officers next spoke to the victim who advised that she came out of Walmart for her smoke break and observed Vazquez yelling. He started to approach her and the asset protection employee. He then began aggressively swinging his arms, striking her in the left eye with one of his fingers. The victim stated she was uninjured and did not need medical attention, the report said.
Vazquez was subsequently detained in handcuffs and placed under arrest. The report noted that while in close quarters with him, one of the officers noticed a strong odor of alcoholic drink coming from his breath when he spoke. He also had watery eyes and slurred speech.
Another officer tried to read Vazquez his rights, but he was unable to due to his behavior. He was instead taken to Lake County Jail to complete the booking process, the report said.
While enroute, Vazquez said he was swinging his arms because the victim was “in his bubble,” the report said. He then stated, “I hit her with my thumb, but you didn’t see any marks!” He became emotional and said, “I hit her, I hit her, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Photographs of the victim and the scene were taken, but the officers could not photograph Vazquez because of his belligerent behavior. He and the other subject were trespassed from Walmart and the liquor store, the report said.
Vazquez was ultimately charged with simple battery and disorderly intoxication. The native of New Jersey was released from jail after posting $1,500 bond.