BRADENTON BEACH – What began as a routine trespass request from the Circle K parking lot at 103 Gulf Drive N. quickly turned to a battery arrest after a suspect threatened officers and allegedly struck Bradenton Beach Police Department (BBPD) Sgt. Steve Masi in the face.
According to Masi’s report, the incident began on March 5 at 10:15 p.m. after he arrived to assist Officer Tom Ferrara with the trespass of a subject from the property.
The subject, Everett Hodapp, 54, listed as homeless in Bradenton Beach, was standing on the sidewalk in front of the store, where he was not permitted due to a previous trespass, according to the report.
“He was screaming obscenities directed at me and threatening my life,” Masi said in his report. “L.T. Jason Dalton with FWC was also at the listed location, as he tried to calm down Hodapp by walking him away from the area several times, but he continued to re-engage.”
Masi’s report says that BBPD officers have had multiple run-ins with Hodapp during his 12-year career with the department, and the majority have not been positive ones. Masi said Hodapp’s behavior was substantially interfering with the store’s business as more and more onlookers were unable to get past due to the suspect’s behavior.
The situation escalated as Hodapp began to threaten Masi’s life, saying he would shoot Masi and physically assault him and his family if he were not wearing his badge. He was told by both Masi and Ferrara that if he continued to act in this manner, he would be arrested, but the threats continued, including using his fingers to make “shooting” gestures directed at Masi.
“At this time, I walked over to Hodapp, along with both Dalton and Ferrara, and as I approached, he proceeded to go into an aggressive fighting stance,” Masi said. “I explained that if he continued, he would be placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. Hodapp inched closer and closer still intentionally threatening me by word and act to do me harm. Hodapp had the ability at this time to engage in violence towards me, as I had a fear he might.”
Moments later, Hodapp slapped Masi in the face with his right hand, according to the report. Masi swept his right leg and took him to the ground to gain compliance. The three officers were able to get Hodapp in handcuffs despite him still fighting against their efforts. His injury was a minor cut to his forehead, which EMTs examined. Once checked out and cleared, he was arrested for battery on a law enforcement officer and transferred to Manatee County Jail by Ferrara.
Hodapp remains in custody on $5,750 bond. He has pled not guilty and his next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, April 26 at 9 a.m. in front of Judge Frederick Mercurio in Manatee County’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
