Florida Mayor David Berkman, 59, of Indialantic was arrested for striking a man in the face with a rake.
Berkman, who is the mayor of the town of Indialantic was participating in a Hurricane Ian cleanup event at Orlando Park in the town along with the victim. It is unknown what started the problem between Berkman and the victim later identified as Melvyn Chang. It may have had something to do with the fact that Melvyn Chang ran against Berkman for the office of town mayor.
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Chang told police that Berkman made several threats to him about “kicking his ass” while working at the cleanup event. The victim felt there might be an issue, so he started to video Berkman while the two were sitting at a picnic table under a park pavilion. At one point Berkman got up from the table and allegedly went out of his way to approach Chang by walking up to him while he was sitting at the picnic table. As Berkman walked by, he allegedly took a plastic leaf rake he was holding and struck Chang in the face and cell phone with it, possibly to keep him from taking anymore video.
Indialantic mayor arrested on battery charge after striking Town Council candidate with rake https://t.co/BPrnIkfzAL via @Florida_Today
— pietro els (@ElsPietro) October 4, 2022
The mayor of Indialantic is accused of using a rake to hit a man in the face while participating in a park cleanup for Hurricane Ian, according to the police department. https://t.co/yTObagZAsY
— News 6 WKMG (@news6wkmg) October 4, 2022
FLORIDA MAYOR ARRESTED: Indialantic Mayor David Berkman, 59, is accused of using a rake to hit a man in the face while participating in a park cleanup for Hurricane Ian, after making several comments about "kicking his ass." https://t.co/yUbt3zSNN4
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) October 4, 2022
The extent of the victim’s injuries are unknown at this time.
The Indialantic Police Department stated in the arrest affidavit that the video taken by the victim, did match up to his version of the story, and showed Berkman striking him in the face with the rake.
Berkman was arrested at the scene by Indialantic police and transported to the Brevard County jail where he was booked into the jail and charged with a misdemeanor battery for unlawfully touching Chang against his will and without his permission. He was released a short time later after posting a $500 bond. His initial court date is scheduled for Halloween.
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