TAVARES, Florida—A 21-year-old woman apparently upset that an elderly man asked her if she was done with gym equipment was arrested on a warrant for smacking the man in the face with a shoe in June, according to a probable cause affidavit.
On June 28, Tavares Police responded to a report of a fight at the YMCA, 1465 David Walker Drive. When an officer arrived, the victim, 75, and two employees told him a woman identified as Claudia Elena Sanchez-Olavarrieta hit the man in the face with her shoe. Sanchez-Olavarrieta had already left the scene, according to the affidavit.
The victim said he was working out in the free weight area and asked Sanchez-Olavarrieta if she was finished with the equipment she was using because she had been sitting there and not working out for a substantial amount of time. He said Sanchez-Olavarrieta became upset and began cursing at him, according to the affidavit.
The victim spoke with a staff member and Sanchez-Olavarrieta agreed to move to a different piece of equipment. As she passed the victim, she smacked him in the face, he told police.
Two employees confirmed the victim’s story, stating after they asked Sanchez-Olavarrieta to move, she removed her shoe and hit the victim in the face as she walked past him. The victim defended himself by pushing or striking her, and Sanchez-Olavarrieta left the facility.
Employees provided TPD a photo of Sanchez-Olavarrieta’s car and license plate, identified her by name and provided her address, the affidavit states. The victim identified her in a photo lineup earlier this month and a warrant was issued for her arrest for battery on a person 65 years or older.
She was booked into the Lake County Jail Monday, where she was released on $2,000 bond.
