One Florida man was so upset with a local Walmart shopping center that he drove himself to it in a golf cart and then caused mayhem by rushing inside and driving it around, injuring patrons and ultimately himself.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says that deputies were called on the scene for an issue of a man blocking the entrance to the shopping center in a golf cart. When they arrived, they found 56-year-old Michael Dale Hudson, who was very angry and was demanding that he speak with a manager, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The report doesn’t say what exactly had made Hudson so upset but one thing is certain: the deputies’ efforts were in vain. While they were still talking to Hudson, he accelerated and went through the glass doors in the vehicle, then speeding inside. Surveillance video from the entrance of the shopping center offers an idea of what it was like for patrons to suddenly see a golf cart rushing towards them. You can also see it at the bottom of the page.
“He ignored deputies’ orders to stop, the agency said, as he drove through the glass front doors and entered the store. He entered the checkout area, struck several patrons and caused many others to jump out of his way,” the publication says.
The chase – on foot by the deputies – wasn’t too long, fortunately. Hudson crashed into a register and the officers were able to apprehend him. Of the patrons he struck with the golf car, not one required a trip to the hospital and all were treated at the scene by paramedics.
Hudson was the only one taken to the hospital, but his injuries are not life threatening.
“He will soon be booked into the county jail on multiple counts of aggravated battery/aggravated assault with a motor vehicle and charges of trespassing after warning, resisting arrest without violence and felony criminal mischief,” the publication further says.
That’s a lot of charges for something that could have easily been settled with a visit – on foot – to the manager’s office.
The report doesn’t say what exactly had made Hudson so upset but one thing is certain: the deputies’ efforts were in vain. While they were still talking to Hudson, he accelerated and went through the glass doors in the vehicle, then speeding inside. Surveillance video from the entrance of the shopping center offers an idea of what it was like for patrons to suddenly see a golf cart rushing towards them. You can also see it at the bottom of the page.
“He ignored deputies’ orders to stop, the agency said, as he drove through the glass front doors and entered the store. He entered the checkout area, struck several patrons and caused many others to jump out of his way,” the publication says.
The chase – on foot by the deputies – wasn’t too long, fortunately. Hudson crashed into a register and the officers were able to apprehend him. Of the patrons he struck with the golf car, not one required a trip to the hospital and all were treated at the scene by paramedics.
Hudson was the only one taken to the hospital, but his injuries are not life threatening.
“He will soon be booked into the county jail on multiple counts of aggravated battery/aggravated assault with a motor vehicle and charges of trespassing after warning, resisting arrest without violence and felony criminal mischief,” the publication further says.
That’s a lot of charges for something that could have easily been settled with a visit – on foot – to the manager’s office.