JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — A man was arrested after deputies say he assaulted a local store manager after she confronted him for trying to hide stolen merchandise underneath his clothes.
Jackson County deputies responded to a physical disturbance at Malloy Shopping Center near Walmart on Wednesday.
Deputies say the suspect, 31-year-old Anthony Aaron attempted to hide a pair of sneakers and boots underneath his clothing.
When confronted by the store manager, Sawyer attempted to push past her causing one of the boots to fall from his jacket.
JCSO says when the manger reached to grab the boot, Sawyer tried to kick her. He also tried to take the boot from the manager and attempted to hit her in the face.
At that point, deputies say the second boot had fell out of his clothing.
Sawyer then grabbed the boot and threw it at the manager’s head.
Deputies say the manager fell to the ground after being hit.
She obtained minor scratches and bruises but did not require medical attention.
After attacking the manager, Sawyer ran out the store and locked himself in the Tyndall Federal Credit Union's bathroom.
Shortly after, he was detained by troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol and turned over to the Sheriff’s Office.
When the troopers searched Sawyer they found a medical syringe and a glass pipe they say is commonly used to ingest meth.
Authorities say Sawyer began acting strange after being placed in the patrol vehicle.
When the door was opened to check on him, he stated that he had “taken a handful of pain pills and a handful of Xanax.”
Deputies believed that Sawyer took the pills to avoid being charged with the medications that he was illegally in possession of.
Once he was medically cleared, Sawyer was transported to the Jackson County Correctional Facility.
He is facing multiple charges including retail theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault and tampering with evidence.
