Man charged in beating of 74-year-old man

A 35-year-old Manatee County man is charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony after beating up his 74-year-old father, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Andrew Chapman pushed the elderly man to the ground just after 2 p.m. at the victim’s home and then began to punch the victim repeatedly.

According to the arrest report, Chapman got off the victim, but attacked him a second time.

Deputies say a witness tried to intervene at which time Chapman retreated to the kitchen and began throwing various knives at the witness.

Chapman fled the home before law enforcement arrived, but was located naked hiding in a nearby ditch.

Chapman was booked into the Manatee County jail and charged with aggravated assault, as well as felony battery on a person over the age of 65.

Chapman remains in custody on bonds totaling $6,000.

Attack of the flashlight

A 32-year-old Palmetto woman is facing a deadly weapon charge after using a heavy metal flashlight to injure another person, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Courtney Motlow was at the victim’s door just before 8 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 14 at 8715 US 41 N demanding the victim pay her the $20 she accused him of owing her.

The victim told Motlow to leave and according to the arrest report, she grabbed the heavy flashlight from the top of an outside refrigerator and threw it at the victim.

Deputies say the victim was struck in the face, which chipped and loosened a tooth and busted the victim’s lip.

Motlow was booked into the Manatee County jail on the charge but was released the following day after posting a $2,500 bond.

He burglarized a house and stole a baby’s unitard

A 26-year-old Bradenton man is charged with felony burglary after stealing a baby’s unitard that was drying outside the victim’s home on Oct. 14 just before 3 p.m.

According to the Bradenton Police Department, Henry Fead was spotted by the victim trying to gain entry into her vehicles and home. She retreated inside the home and called law enforcement.

Police say Fead does not have children but stole the unitard for a “friend.”

Nothing else was taken. Police say they found synthetic marijuana on Fead upon his arrest.

Fead was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of burglary and possession of a controlled substance. According to jail records, Fead was on probation for failure to leave property upon order by the owner.

That probation was violated and Fead remains in custody.

Deputy K9 wounded during felony arrest

A 36-year-old Bradenton homeless man is facing a multitude of charges after attempting to escape from deputies on Oct. 14 just before 6 p.m. in the 3400 block of 27th Street East.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher Darlington was found in a Walmart parking lot inside a stolen vehicle when deputies made contact.

Deputies say Darlington intentionally rammed a sheriff’s office patrol car in an attempt to escape, but crashed a short time later.

According to the arrest report, Darlington then fled on foot and while being followed by the sheriff’s office air unit, forced his way into a nearby home where he armed himself with two large kitchen knives.

Deputies say Darlington barricaded himself inside the home and a K9 was sent in. The K9 was slashed and suffered three wounds that all required sutures.

Pursuing deputies ordered Darlington to drop the knives and he eventually complied. During the arrest, deputies found heroin, fentanyl, meth, marijuana and several pieces of jewelry Darlington took from the home he broke into during the pursuit.

Darlington was booked into the Manatee County jail on multiple felonies to include battery on an officer, trafficking, grand theft, using a deadly weapon on a K9, armed burglary and more.

He remains in custody without bond.

Victim suffers brutal sexual attack

Forty-four-year-old Patrick Tiffany is facing a sexual battery charge after beating and sexually assaulting a woman on Oct. 15.

Deputies say the victim was punched more than 20 times during the attack.

According to the arrest report, the victim suffered injuries throughout her head and face.

Tiffany was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of sexual battery and battery. Tiffany was released the following day after posting bonds totaling $40,000.