Assault suspect 'missed the victim,' needed a trip to the hospital before jail, police say

GROVELAND, Fla. (TND) — A police officer "responded to a fight in progress" but the guy he would eventually arrest, "upon learning law enforcement was en route, fled the scene."

The arrest report from May 27 in Florida mentioned, “The victim is the stepson of the defendant and they resided together in the past as a family.”

The victim told the officer, “His stepfather, the defendant, came to the residence uninvited and began an argument with him over family matters.

“The defendant then attempted to strike the victim against his wishes, and missed the victim.

“The victim then struck the defendant twice, causing the defendant to become unconscious as a result.

“The victim's mother and grandmother called Lake County Fire to render aid, but the defendant then fled the scene and went to his residence in Mascotte, possibly in attempts to avoid contact with law enforcement.”

The officer's next stop was the home of the suspect, Aron Denis Thomas, where authorities requested paramedics “to render aid to the defendant, due to the injuries he sustained during the altercation.”

According to the arrest report, “Upon contact with the defendant who had been consuming alcohol, he advised he was attacked unprovoked.

“He could not advise why he fled the scene and did not call for help.”

Thomas, 42, was arrested for assault. He was taken to the hospital and then to jail.

He spent 13 hours behind bars before his release in lieu of $1,000 bond.