70-year-old alleged trespasser arrested after refusing to leave residence

A Clermont man was arrested for trespassing on private property after he refused to leave the steps of the residence.

A deputy responded to a man, later identified as 70-year-old George Karst, trespassing on a private undisclosed Clermont property around 11:30 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

Upon arrival, a deputy spoke with Karst on the front steps of the residence. He had slurred speech and was not making any sense while talking to deputies. The homeowner came to the front door during this interaction and advised he wanted Karst to be trespassed and removed from the property, the report said. 

The deputy proceeded to ask Karst for his name or where he lived, but he did not provide either. He was advised that he was being given a trespass warning on behalf of the homeowner and that he needed to leave the property. However, Karst refused the order and continued to sit on the steps, saying he would not move, the report said. 

Karst was then told he was being placed under arrest for trespass after warning. While deputies attempted to take him into custody, he began to tense up and tried to pull away. He was also resistant to being placed in the rear of a patrol vehicle, the report said. 

Lake EMS arrived on scene to evaluate Karst, but he would not answer their questions. Instead, he tried to kick one of the EMS personnel but missed. Once EMS stopped their evaluation, the deputy asked Karst to place his legs and feet inside his patrol vehicle, the report said. 

Karst refused and even placed his foot against the vehicle door. He had to be physically moved into the patrol vehicle further so that the door could be shut. Once it was closed, Karst began to strike the patrol vehicle rear door window with his head. He was told to stop his actions, and the deputy placed the seatbelt on him, the report said. 

Karst was subsequently charged with trespass after warning and resisting without violence. He was transported to Lake County Jail without further incident, and bond was set at $2,000.