Homeless man takes up residence in restaurant shed

Monday, July 14

Workplace hostility

3:18 p.m., 2000 block of 20th Street

Disturbance: Having just been terminated from his job, a newly minted former employee threatened his now-former boss by exclaiming he had “16 shots” in his vehicle and to meet him outside.

Suspecting he wasn’t being welcomed to partake in celebratory shots of tequila in the parking lot, the complainant declined the invitation and instead contacted law enforcement. As officers arrived, the subject was observed exiting the building and spitting in the direction of the complainant, who when interviewed said he believed the “16 shots” referenced by the subject meant he had a gun in his vehicle and, in his irate state, was not afraid to use it.

While speaking with the complainant, an officer overheard the subject tell other officers he indeed had a firearm in his vehicle. The subject told that same officer he was on the phone earlier with his attorney regarding possible litigation with the business and that he had issues with the complainant being racist, as evidenced by him placing watermelon Sour Patch candy and grape soda on his desk. 

The subject said the complainant overheard his legal consultation with the attorney about how to proceed with filing a hostile work environment complaint when the complainant said, “Oh, you think this is a hostile work environment? Fine, you are fired!” That’s when he made the thinly veiled threat out of frustration, adding that he did not intend to harm the complainant. 

The subject was advised he was being trespassed from the business, to which he replied he never intends to return.

Tuesday, July 15

Wanted in Ohio

2:36 p.m., 0 block of Boulevard of the Presidents

Trespassing: Speaking by phone with the owner of a restaurant that is under renovation, an officer was advised his chef had arrived at approximately 11:30 a.m. and noticed clothing lying in the rear of the property and liquor bottles that belong to the business that were now empty and outside the storage shed in which they were stored.

Officers searched six sheds at the rear of the property that are used for storage when they encountered a homeless man who advised he does not want to be near other homeless people in downtown, opting to seek shelter on St. Armands Key. He said he had been living in the shed for about a week. 

Searching the shed, officers found several wine glasses from inside the restaurant and a self-styled laundry area with clothes hanging from a line and other garments in a bucket with soap. 

A warrant check showed the man had two in-state-only warrants in Ohio for probation violation and failure to appear for attempted vandalism to a government facility. The warrant information also mentioned the man having previous charges for a weapons violation, assault and domestic violence. 

The restaurant owner did not wish to press charges but did want the man trespassed from the property. Officers watched as the man gathered his belongings and left the area.