Clarence Martin accused of killing homeless man who stole beer money

Ted Irvin found dead in parking lot of Tri-Rail station in Hollywood

Clarence Martin is accused of killing Ted Irvin in a dispute about beer money.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A South Florida man has been arrested after he killed a homeless man who stole his beer money, police said.

Clarence Martin, 57, was arrested Thursday on a charge of premeditated murder in the death of Ted Irvin, whose body was found in the parking lot of the Sheridan Street Tri-Rail station June 5.

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Hollywood police Lt. Derik Alexander said Irvin died as a result of blunt-force trauma after a fight with Martin.

According to the police affidavit, Martin gave Irvin and his girlfriend $10 to buy beer the night before, but they used the money to buy beer for themselves and never returned.

An irate Martin eventually found the couple near the Tri-Rail station and confronted Irvin, demanding money from him, the report stated. After Irvin said he didn't have any money, Martin pushed him into the grass, but Irvin got up and the argument continued.

Martin then shoved Irvin again, causing him to fall on the pavement in the parking lot, the report said.

Police investigating Irvin's death found no obvious signs of trauma, but a medical examiner determined the 57-year-old victim "suffered multiple bilateral rib fractures and multiple lacerations to the spleen" that had recently occurred, the report said.

During the death investigation, police learned that Martin called Irvin's cellphone dozens of times and left 13 voice mails threatening Irvin, the report said.

In an interview with detectives, Martin claimed he made the threatening calls to get Irvin to return so he could have sex with Irvin's girlfriend, the report added.

Police arrested Martin under the Sheridan Street overpass.

Martin, who turns 58 Monday, was born on the same day as Irvin, according to police documents.