KEY LARGO, Fla. – A neighborhood argument over alleged trespassing led to the arrest of a Key Largo man on assault and battery charges Monday morning.
Carlos Enrique Cruz Perez, 55, was taken into custody following the incident, which occurred around 9:10 a.m. on Ibis Lane. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a disturbance involving a firearm.
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According to witness statements and video footage reviewed by deputies, Cruz Perez was involved in a verbal altercation with a 37-year-old male neighbor regarding an alleged trespassing issue. The argument escalated, and punches were reportedly thrown between the two men.
Investigators stated that Cruz Perez then grabbed a beer bottle. At this point, the 37-year-old male victim backed away and displayed a concealed firearm he was carrying. While Cruz Perez discarded the beer bottle, he allegedly continued to advance toward the armed man.
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A 26-year-old woman attempted to intervene and hold Cruz Perez back. Authorities report that Cruz Perez then slapped the woman in the face.
Cruz Perez was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated assault related to the incident with the male victim and domestic battery concerning the female victim.
He was transported to jail. No serious injuries were reported among those involved in the altercation.
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