Man arrested for attacking police officer at Starbucks
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Daniel Michael Graffius, 49, was arrested early yesterday morning after allegedly attacking a police officer who was asking him to leave the Starbucks on Newberry Road.
A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Starbucks (6707 W. Newberry Road) at 4:45 a.m. on December 23 after an employee called to report that a man was “acting strange” outside the business. She asked the officer to trespass the man from the property.
The officer reported that he spoke to Graffius on the fenced porch area of the business, but when he started to explain that Graffius was being trespassed, Graffius immediately charged at him, swinging and punching, forcing the officer back into the porch fence. The officer reported that Graffius landed a punch on his face before he was able to break away and order Graffius to get on the ground.
The officer reported that Graffius refused the order and “just stood in front of [him], yelling at [him].” The officer reportedly deployed his taser and handcuffed Graffius.
Two Starbucks employees reportedly saw Graffius attack the officer.
Graffius reportedly stated spontaneously, “I didn’t hit you, but I was trying.”
Graffius has been charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence. He has five misdemeanor convictions (none violent). Graffius was arrested in April after violating a trespass order from the University of Florida; in May, Judge Meshon Rawls sentenced him to 38 days in jail with credit for 38 days served and fined him $376, which has not been paid. Judge James Colaw set bail at $55,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Â
The taser is what this guy needed! Glad that the officer is Ok!
Where are the Grace Ambassadors??
Coulda done the city a favor in the line of duty but used a taser instead
Wait he was trespassed for “acting strange” from a public business? He needs to sue, and make them articulate what law, statute, or ordinance “acting strange” falls under.
Starbucks is not public business. It is a private business that is open to the public.
Even public business like city hall retain the right to tresspass.
“Whoever, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully enters or remains in any structure or conveyance, or, having been authorized, licensed, or invited, is warned by the owner or lessee of the premises, or by a person authorized by the owner or lessee, to depart and refuses to do so, commits the offense of trespass in a structure or conveyance.”
Damn it wasn’t that long ago Reich wingnuts were saying that business owners didn’t have the right to not serve unruly customers. Have a happy holidays
He looks like he’d be a difficult roommate. Is his current address at GRACE or I-75 Overpass, perhaps?
They should arrest the Starbucks employees for being weird with the bones in their noses and green hair smoking dope out by the trash bins
Arrested, violent history, resisting arrest & not paying court fines. Youth that want to work are subjected to this danger in workplaces unfairly & too often within our community. How is this acceptable! Enough!
So, if he landed a punch on the officer’s face, how is his resisting arrest without violence??? I’m so confused…
So here is what the Dems need to do.
They need to review and revise Social security’s list of disabilities to include medical conditions such as homelessness, and entitlement.
Because either or both conditions should qualify someone for a monthly check.
Social Security was not/is not created as “welfare”. It requires a certain participation by people who are or will be recipients. Contrary to what Democrat and Democrat Socialist politicians want to do, it is not a gimme program for bums. Oh, and “homelessness” is not a medical condition. Neither is “entitlement”.
Give that cop a raise and give him the job to keep panhandlers out of the medians & Road right of ways…
49?? No way!!!! He looks 69!!!!!