AVENTURA, Fla. — A Pennsylvania man with multiple violent felony convictions in the Keystone State is now in trouble in South Florida after threatening to murder a man at an Aventura shopping center over the weekend, according to police.

According to the Aventura Police Department, the incident happened at the Promenade Shops, located at 20475 Biscayne Blvd., just after 9:15 p.m. on Sunday.

An APD arrest report states that the victim called 911 to report that Geoffrey Hackett, 50, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, told him to pay $2 million to his brother “or he would murder him” before reaching for his waistband, causing the victim to believe he had a gun.

Police said Hackett also punctured a hole in the victim’s tire.

The report states that Hackett “was found to be in possession of a retractable bladed knife and a firearm in his vehicle” and police said a records check revealed at least three robbery convictions in different Pennsylvania cities dating back to 1995.

Officers arrested him on two felony counts of felon in possession of a weapon and one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and using a weapon in the commission of a felony. He also faces misdemeanor concealed weapon and criminal mischief charges.

As of Monday, Hackett was being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond listed in jail records as “to be set.”

Pennsylvania felon accused of $2 million murder threat in Aventura

About The Author

Chris Gothner