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Tampa Man Charged In Garden Tool Attack

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 18, 2008

Updated: 03/18/2008 03:49 pm

TAMPA An argument involving beer led Charles White to grab a garden hoe and strike a man on the buttocks with it this morning, Tampa police say.

Police arrested White, 51, of Tampa about 1:23 a.m. today.

Officers took into evidence a broken red garden hoe and a 2-inch crack pipe, a criminal arrest affidavit states.

An officer patrolling the 8500 block of North Brooks Street was flagged down by 44-year-old Melvin Walker of Tampa, who said he had been attacked. Walker suffered minor injuries during the incident that needed medical attention, according to the affidavit.

White was charged with aggravated battery, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief.

The incident began when Walker was sitting in a car with his girlfriend and saw White walking toward the car, a police report states. White asked Walker for a beer, and Walker wouldn't give him one. White argued about it, and Walker stepped out of the car to confront him.

Walker later sat back inside the car, and White walked behind an apartment and returned with the hoe.

White swung the hoe and hit the car, according to the report. Walker tried to run but was cut in the buttocks and the right wrist and was struck several more times with the handle.

Witness Pamela Duvall told police that she had been sleeping in the car's back seat after drinking all day with friends when she heard yelling. She got up in time to see White chase Walker down the street with a garden hoe, the report states.

White remained in Orient Road Jail today. His bail was set at $10,250.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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