TPD Arrests UT Student For Alleged Assault on Security Officer
Josh Kratovil
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: News & Features
A University of Tampa student was arrested earlier this month after a scuffle in the Security Office that resulted in Tampa Police intervention.
According to police reports, Justin Aaron Blau "stepped over a locked gate in the security office and used his body weight" to push a security officer backwards in an effort to get to Security Chief Charles Mascenik.
Blau had apparently wanted to discuss parking tickets with the security chief but "did not respond to verbal commands … instructing the defendant to stop."
When contacted for comment, Blau said he did not recall the incident in question.
Vanessa Duvall, another University of Tampa student, works part time as a receptionist in the Security Office.
According to her statement, she was seated at the reception desk when Blau entered the office. She observed Blau demand to speak with security Chief … Mascenik.
It was at this time that Blau, "without invitation," allegedly stepped over the 36-inch high gate which "[separates] the public and private side of the office."
Security Officer Deborah Dervaes "placed herself between [Blau] and the Security Chief's office," at which point Blau attempted to push her out of the way.
Several additional security personnel stepped in to help restrain and detain Blau, who was handcuffed and seated in a conference room inside the security office.
Blau was taken into custody by Tampa Police and charged with a trespassing misdemeanor and felony battery on a licensed security officer.
He was later released on a $2,500 bond.
As of press time, Officer Dervaes and Security Director Mascenik were unavailable for comment on the incident.
Grant Donaldson, UT's spokesman, declined to comment on the matter, saying it was possible that future litigation could be affected by any comments.
No one was injured in the incident.
Link to HCSO arrest report http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/defa...sp/bn=07017308
Josh Kratovil
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: News & Features
A University of Tampa student was arrested earlier this month after a scuffle in the Security Office that resulted in Tampa Police intervention.
According to police reports, Justin Aaron Blau "stepped over a locked gate in the security office and used his body weight" to push a security officer backwards in an effort to get to Security Chief Charles Mascenik.
Blau had apparently wanted to discuss parking tickets with the security chief but "did not respond to verbal commands … instructing the defendant to stop."
When contacted for comment, Blau said he did not recall the incident in question.
Vanessa Duvall, another University of Tampa student, works part time as a receptionist in the Security Office.
According to her statement, she was seated at the reception desk when Blau entered the office. She observed Blau demand to speak with security Chief … Mascenik.
It was at this time that Blau, "without invitation," allegedly stepped over the 36-inch high gate which "[separates] the public and private side of the office."
Security Officer Deborah Dervaes "placed herself between [Blau] and the Security Chief's office," at which point Blau attempted to push her out of the way.
Several additional security personnel stepped in to help restrain and detain Blau, who was handcuffed and seated in a conference room inside the security office.
Blau was taken into custody by Tampa Police and charged with a trespassing misdemeanor and felony battery on a licensed security officer.
He was later released on a $2,500 bond.
As of press time, Officer Dervaes and Security Director Mascenik were unavailable for comment on the incident.
Grant Donaldson, UT's spokesman, declined to comment on the matter, saying it was possible that future litigation could be affected by any comments.
No one was injured in the incident.
Link to HCSO arrest report http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/defa...sp/bn=07017308
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