MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A man was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of punching and kicking a Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation worker who told him he couldn’t sleep in a hammock at a park in Westwood Lakes, authorities said.
According to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tropical Estates Park, located at 10201 SW 48th St.
Deputies said the employee told them he was conducting a park check prior to the end of his shift when he spotted the suspect, Jacob E. Baumann, laying down in a hammock positioned between two posted signs.
The victim told deputies that he informed Baumann that he could not sleep in the park and asked him to leave.
According to the report, Baumann, 33, of Florida City, then followed the victim before punching him in the head.
The victim told deputies that he pulled out his cellphone and began dialing 911, at which time Baumann tried to take his phone from him.
Deputies said Baumann was unable to gain control of the cellphone, but continued attacking the victim, repeatedly punching and kicking him throughout his body.
The victim was treated at the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Baumann was taken into custody and invoked his right to remain silent, the report stated.
He faces charges of strongarm robbery, battery on a person 65 or older and tampering with a victim.
As of Wednesday morning, Baumann was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Online jail records listed his bond as “to be set.”
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