'You now have coronavirus,' Florida man tells boy in restaurant, police say
08/05/2020 2:00 pm PDT
via WTSP:
TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. (WTSP) -- A 47-year-old Florida man is accused of telling a boy to take off his mask at a restaurant, getting in his face and saying he now has COVID-19.
Treasure Island Police said Jason Copenhaver was at Ricky T's Bar and Grille Sunday night when he walked up to a child, whose age was not noted in the report, and told him to take his mask off. Copenhaver allegedly grabbed the boy's hand tightly and got into his face, telling him "You now have coronavirus."
The child told officers Copenhaver was so close to his face that "spit particles from (Copenhaver's) mouth landed in his face," according to the affidavit.
According to law enforcement, Copenhaver then walked over to the bar. Staff said he wasn't wearing shoes and appeared to be drunk. Copenhaver allegedly tried twice to hit a worker before staff could take physical control and walk him outside, holding him to the ground before police arrived. Copenhaver reportedly told officers he has not been tested for COVID-19.
Copenhaver was arrested and charged with battery and disorderly conduct. Pinellas County Jail records show he was freed after posting $650 bail.
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