A persistent panhandler has been released from jail after a violent attack at a local Circle K.
Eric Manning, 40, pleaded no contest this past month in Marion County Court to charges of battery, resisting arrest and trespassing. He served a total of 99 days in jail.
Manning had been begging customers for food and money for several weeks at the Circle K convenience store at U.S. Hwy. 441 and Sunset Harbor Road in Summerfield. Manning, who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall, had “become increasingly hostile with staff and other customers” when they refused to buy him food of give him money, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. He had been repeatedly told by clerks to leave the premises.
Manning refused to leave and shoved a male Circle K clerk. When the clerk tried to shove Manning in self-defense, a female clerk tried to break up the altercation. Manning became “hostile” toward the female clerk and punched her in the right eye. When Manning became aware that law enforcement had been summoned, he fled the premises. A deputy spotted Manning and attempted to take him into custody. However, Manning resisted efforts to be handcuffed.