A Fern Park man was arrested for battery after allegedly punching the boyfriend of a Hardee’s employee.
An officer responded to Hardee’s, located at 802 S. 14th St., regarding a battery around 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, according to an arrest report from the Leesbrug Police Department.
The victim advised that he was at the restaurant because his girlfriend worked there. While he was inside, 32-year-old Bobby Ujene Little arrived on a bicycle. Little then chased him around the restaurant lobby. The victim called 911 and left through the side door of the restaurant, only for Little to follow him, the report said.
Once outside, Little punched the victim in the back of the head with a closed fist and pushed his face into the door. Little proceeded to wrap his arms around the victim and try to throw him to the ground. The victim’s girlfriend came between them in an attempt to break up the altercation, and Little fled southbound on his bicycle, the report said.
The officer next spoke with the victim’s girlfriend whose account corroborated the victim’s statement. She advised that Little tried to pick up the victim and throw him to the ground before chasing him around the restaurant. She intervened, and Little left to flee on his bicycle, the report said.
Another officer talked to more witnesses, one of which was another employee who stated Little stood outside the restaurant and looked like he was casing the location. He then came inside and started chasing the victim around the lobby. The victim ran out the side door followed by Little, the report said.
Once outside, Little grabbed the victim from behind and punched him in the back of the head. He screamed, “I’m going to kill you!” Little then fled upon learning law enforcement had been contacted, the report said.
A second witness inside the store advised that Little rode his bicycle across the road to the restaurant to fight the victim. The witness saw Little come inside, chase the victim around and punch him in the head before leaving, the report said.
Additionally, the victim’s girlfriend recorded the encounter on her iPhone, which she shared with the officers. They positively identified Little based on prior encounters. They also searched the area for him but were unsuccessful, the report said.
The victim sustained minor lacerations on his face and a visible bruise on his left ear, the report said.
Little was ultimately arrested Monday at Frank’s Tires, located at 1006 S. 14th St., on charge of simple battery. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $2,000.
He was also arrested in Oct. 2024 when he was caught with a jar of THC wax at Circle K.