Man arrested for threatening cashier with gun over payment dispute
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Carl Eddy Noel, 42, was arrested early this morning and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly showing a gun to a cashier after a dispute over how much money Noel had given the cashier.
At about 12:18 a.m. on November 1, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to ANF Gyros & Grill (826 W. University Avenue), where an employee said there was some “confusion” after Noel placed his order. Noel reportedly became upset because he thought he’d given the employee a $100 bill, but he only received change for a $50 bill. The employee reportedly walked around the counter to try to explain that he had already given Noel his change, and the employee said Noel reached into his pocket and showed him a pistol, which placed the employee in fear for his life, and then left on foot.
Noel was reportedly located by officers about two blocks west of the restaurant.
The arresting officer noted that the incident was captured on video surveillance and Noel can be seen on video digging inside his front pocket and appearing to brandish a weapon. The victim reportedly provided a description of the gun.
A search incident to arrest produced a black BB gun that matched the description provided by the victim.
Noel reportedly made several spontaneous statements, saying he carries the BB gun with him everywhere and that he only went to the restaurant to get some food; he also reportedly said he did not point a gun in anyone’s face and “only showed the firearm.”
Noel reportedly refused to acknowledge that he understood his Miranda rights, so no post-Miranda questions were asked.
Noel has three misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge Adam Lee ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.
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
Of course the easiest question to ask is; was there a $50 or $100 bill in the register. At that time of night, there should not have been much money in the register. If they has a safe type container, what was the top bill?
Ok Columbo… you’re not talking about a sophisticated franchise with safe boxes, etc. It’s a local restaurant… Plus who cares. If there was a mistake, it’s not a “here’s my gun” situation.
No, Roger, you call the police. That goes for both the customer and the employee. In this case, the one who was almost robbed did exactly that, and the would-be robber, true to form, took off.
This is one of the oldest cons in the book, and those trying to pull it always claim that the victim did exactly what the conman had already done–played the ol’ switcharoo–regardless of evidence. This is how brazen deception (gaslighting) works: keep repeating the same lie, louder and louder, hoping that the person being lied to either begins to question himself or decides it’s not worth it to keep arguing. And it works on simpleminded people; the evidence is in the number of people running to the polls even now.
I agree. My comment was poorly worded but intended for a cop to investigate and see if there was a 50 or 100 in the register. Is the BB gun really considered a ‘firearm’ under the law?
Roger, checking the register wouldn’t accomplish anything. Either party could claim that any 50-dollar or 100-dollar bill that was in the register was in the register before the transaction happened. Video, on the other hand, which is probably what the officer used inasmuch as he used it to confirm the display of the BB gun, paints a clearer picture.
Only Rhode Island and New Jersey classify BB guns as firearms. In Florida, even felons over the age of 16 are allowed to possess BB guns (and other air-powered guns, as well as bows). However, to the best of my knowledge, displaying a BB gun in public in Florida, as the would-be robber did, is illegal. But it’s best to consult a practicing attorney. The law gets murky when you start considering charges of assault with a deadly weapon, because then even a hefty ratchet that you take out of your pocket and brandish could be considered a deadly weapon.
I expect the charges in this case to be dropped, because the improper display of a BB gun is a nothing charge, no actual robbery took place, and no one got hurt. But time will tell.
100 % Agree that 90 % of the deplorable domestic terrorist lovers that read the comments here , dont understand , it went over their insurrectionist Meal Team 6 / Y’all Qada Mullets .
At 826 West University Avenue there is a Checkers, there is a Taco Bell, a Gyro joint, and a Subway.
That area hasn’t really been in the news lately 🤔
In fact, last time I seen anything on AC about that area, is when they sentence that kid for shooting and killing those people there by Checkers about a year ago or so…..
So, since those little eateries already exist, and have a reputation of gun violence already,
Hopefully any prospective food business owner or entrepreneur will really think it through before investing in anything at that location.
I’m just sayin’.
We have all seen what happened at Checkers.
So If a prospective business owner is considering some measure of frying chicken around that location my advice is,
Don’t do it! Because it’s a very bad idea, and a bad investment…. 😕
I didn’t think fast-food places would take even a $50 bill let alone a hundred?
There’s a big difference between fast-food franchises and independent businesses that sell food made quickly for take-out. The former have corporate policies; the latter do whatever they want.
Look at the rap sheet. Another sad victim of society.
BB gun or real gun doesn’t matter. It’s what the victim thought it was at the time. I can tell you what would happen to DUM DUM is he displayed a BB gun in a threatening manner to a 2A citizen. Given the fact guns now days come in all different colors and shapes it’s harder to tell what is real and what is a adult toy. Given this idiot’s response and attitude towards cops investigating didn’t help him either.