A Fruitland Park man was arrested for disorderly intoxication after allegedly spitting on a customer eating with his mother at Legends Bar and Grill.
An officer responded to Legends Bar and Grill, located at 3323 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, regarding a physical altercation around 9 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. Upon arrival, he met with a male customer outside the establishment who stated 31-year-old Tyler Duane Griffin approached his table in an aggressive manner.
The customer did not know Griffin, and he did not want him around the food or the table. Griffin became agitated and started to curse at him and his mother. He again told Griffin to leave their table before standing up to get an employee to rectify the situation, the report said.
Griffin then pushed the customer and spit on him. He pushed Griffin away and left the restaurant. He did not wish to prosecute or write a statement, the report said.
A witness stated Griffin came into the restaurant and started talking to the customer and his mother. He asked Griffin to move, but he would not. Griffin called him a derogatory name, at which time Griffin removed himself from the table, the report said.
Griffin continued to antagonize the customer from across the bar. He then walked up to the customer, spit in his face and walked off, the report said.
Two other witnesses described the same situation, with both advised that Griffin did “antagonize” and “pick a fight” with the customer before spitting in his face, the report said.
The restaurant manager wanted Griffin to be removed from the bar and trespassed. He explained that Griffin got to the bar around 4 p.m., ate a meal and drank several alcoholic beverages. He only paid a portion of his tab and still owed $9, the report said.
While placing Griffin under arrest, he was told to stand up several times. The officers had to physically make him stand up. During a search of his person, he became actively resistant and had to be redirected to the car several times, the report said.
Additionally, individuals at the bar advised that Griffin’s behavior greatly disrupted their evening, the report said.
Griffin was charged with resisting without violence and disorderly intoxication. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $1,500.