A homeless woman in Leesburg was arrested after she reportedly entered another woman’s tent and tried to hit her with a PVC pipe during an argument over cat food.
Deputies responded Sunday night and again early Monday to a wooded area near Thomas Avenue and Westside Drive. The first time was to investigate a report of a woman yelling for help, while the second time they were responding to a reported battery, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
During the first incident at the camp site, deputies spoke with two females, one of whom was identified as 62-year-old Karen Ann Hiker. Both women said they were OK, although deputies were told Hiker drinks alcohol and sometimes starts yelling, the report said.
The second time, deputies were met by the victim. She said once law enforcement left the camp, Hiker approached her tent yelling and ranting about the victim owing her $50 for cat food. Hiker told the victim to come out of the tent, but she continued laying down, according to the report.
The victim said Hiker then entered the tent and started to hit and slap her with open hands. She said Hiker tried to strike her several times with a white PVC pipe, and she grabbed the victim’s arms and scratched her with her fingernails. The victim had bruises and scratches on her right arm and a red mark on the side of her face, the report said.
The deputy informed Hiker of the allegations and asked if she would like to make a statement. Hiker said the victim left her cat for other people to take care of and that “she is a ho.” She wouldn’t make any additional statements, according to the report.
Hiker was arrested and charged with burglary with assault or battery. The Missouri native was taken to the Lake County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
