TAVARES, Fla.—A Tavares man is in the Lake County Jail after video surveillance captured him throwing a bag of dog feces in his neighbors’ driveway and garage and then punching one of the neighbors, the latest incident in a multi-year feud.
Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, Tavares Police Department responded to a home on Sycamore Circle on a report of a battery. Residents of the home told TPD their neighbor, Ty Alan Heichel, 24, threw a bag of dog feces in their driveway and a verbal argument ensued. During the verbal altercation, Heichel punched the male resident in the face, according to an arrest affidavit.
As the residents explained what happened, Heichel approached the home again, yelling and stating he punched the man in the face and he would do it again, the affidavit states. Heichel was detained and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle while officers investigated.
Video surveillance at the home captured the altercation and showed Heichel launching the bag of feces into the driveway as he walked by the home. The female resident confronted Heichel and told him to pick it up and he continued to walk by, the affidavit states. He soon returned, grabbed the bag and threw it into the open garage, near where the residents were standing.
Heichel approached the male resident, who stepped backed as Heichel approached him and he attempted to push Heichel away as they became face-to-face in the garage. Heichel then threw punches at him and eventually left the property, the video showed. He returned shortly after officers arrived at the residence.
This was the latest incident in an ongoing and escalating feud between Heichel and his neighbors, resulting in repeated calls for service over multiple years, according to the arresting officer. “The issues have continuously progressed and (Heichel) repeatedly shows his violent outbursts towards several others in the community as well as (the victims,) the officer wrote in the affidavit.
Heichel was arrested for burglary and battery and is being held in LCJ on $3,000 bond.