BSO: Woman charged with hate crime after throwing beer can at car, calling victim racial slur

Karen Anne Apuzzo Whitcomb (Broward Sheriff's Office)

TAMARAC, Fla. — A woman who was arrested in September in Broward County after allegedly throwing a beer can at a vehicle and shouting a racial slur at a man is now facing a hate crime enhancement on one of her charges, Local 10 learned Thursday.

Karen Anne Apuzzo Whitcomb, 56, of Tamarac, appeared in bond court Thursday morning as the charge for shooting or throwing a deadly missile was upgraded to a hate crime. She also faces charges of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence.

According to an arrest report from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred Sept. 3 at a Mobil gas station, located at 6921 W. McNab Road in Tamarac.

Deputies said they were called to the gas station in reference to someone who threw a beer can at a vehicle’s windshield.

When deputies arrived, they met with the victim who said Apuzzo Whitcomb did, in fact, throw a full, 24-ounce Corona beer can at his BMW’s windshield as he was driving.

According to the report, prior to throwing the beer can at the car, Apuzzo Whitcomb yelled at the victim, “F*** you n*****! You need to go to hell!”

Deputies said Apuzzo Whitcomb continued to yell at the victim as they were trying to stop her from walking away.

A motive for the alleged incident was not stated in the arrest report.

As of Thursday afternoon, Apuzzo Whitcomb was being held at the North Broward Bureau on a $4,000 bond.

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Amanda Batchelor

Amanda Batchelor

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.