Police reports

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 6, 2001

Man charged after chasing girl with tape

MASARYKTOWN -- A Brooksville man said he was "looking for love" when he chased after a 13-year-old girl, duct tape in hand.

The girl's parents managed to stop Anthony J. Ford, 30, of 19030 Phillips Road, south of Brooksville, a sheriff's report states. The girl wasn't hurt. Her name is being withheld because she is a minor.

The girl was feeding animals outside her house on Squirrel Prairie Road in Masaryktown when Ford wandered up, a report states. She asked if he needed help. Ford mumbled he was looking for someone, the girl told police. She got nervous, walked away, and he followed, the report states.

She ran inside and yelled for her parents, who confronted Ford and called police. Her mother's husband, Michael Hicks, tackled Ford and held him until police arrived, the report states.

Ford was arrested on charges of burglary and battery, and remained in Hernando County Jail on Tuesday in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Masaryktown man beaten for money

MASARYKTOWN -- Three men stormed a 40-year-old Masaryktown man's apartment early Tuesday, police report, beating him and taking his wallet with $4 in it.

Matthew Wilson, 40, of 371 Broad St. Apt. 1, said he was asleep about 1:40 a.m. when someone knocked at his door. He answered and was jumped by three men who beat him, hit him with a bottle and demanded his money, Wilson told deputies. They then used socks to tie his feet and hands behind him while they got his wallet, the report stated. Then they left.

Neighbors said they did not see or hear anything. Sheriff's officials have no suspects.

Wilson was taken to Brooksville Regional Hospital and later released.

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