Bingo drama pushed a man to slash the tires of another player. Fred Smith, 82, was so upset that 88-year-old Ethel Britt took his seat in a weekly bingo game at a Florida retirement home that he rushed to the parking lot and slashed two of her tires.
A bingo fight led to slashed tires and an arrest. On Friday, 82-year-old Fred Smith arrived at the Lake Ashton Retirement Community Club House in Lake Wales, Florida for the weekly bingo game.
When Smith discovered that Ethel Britt, 88, was sitting in his favorite spot, he grew very angry and stormed out of the center.
Surveillance video caught the elderly man speeding to his car and later heading to the 88-year-old woman’s van with an object in his hands. Using an ice pick, Smith slashed two of the tires and drove home.
When members of the Lake Wales Police Department arrested Mr. Smith, he confessed to the crime and apologized. He told the police that he slashed the woman’s tires because she constantly took his seat at bingo, and he wanted to get back at her.
Smith was taken to the Polk County Jail. The tire slasher is facing misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief.
The total damage to the tires was estimated at $456, and he must pay restitution back to his bingo mate. Ethel Britt, who was celebrating her birthday when the incident occurred, said she was surprised by Smith’s actions. She explained:
“I didn’t know it meant that much to him to do that to my tires. I didn’t think anyone would be low enough to do that to my car because I didn’t know I had any enemies in my life. I thought everybody was my friend, but undoubtedly I have one enemy. I didn’t know it meant that much to him to do that to my tires.”
Lake Wales Deputy Chief Troy Schulze called Smith childish and added:
“It’s quite frankly a childish-type crime.The man admitted to it when the officer told him what he was there to investigate. He was apologetic. He said he was embarrassed. He regretted doing it, but he took ownership of it and said that even in the embarrassment he had to face consequences.”
Britt said she had to empty her bank account to get her van repaired.
I known I shouldn’t laugh but I can’t help it. Best story I have read for the day. I think the woman keeps taking his seat because she is in love with him and he is the youngest hottie at the center. LOL
These two are like my grandparents : a love and hate romance.