Florida couple attack snorkeler swimming too close to their waterfront property

On August 8, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), headquartered in the Florida Keys, reported that a married couple from Marathon, Florida, were taken into custody after attacking a snorkeler approaching their property.  It seems that the couple believed that the snorkeler got too close to the couple’s waterfront property, which evolved into a dispute and an altercation.  The couple, Paulo De Oliveira, 65, and Katia De Oliveira, 61, were both arrested and charged with aggravated battery, and battery.

The Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence on the 100 block of 12th Street, Gulfside, at approximately 1:30 p.m. regarding a battery.  All involved in the incident were present as well as multiple family members of the victim. The victim’s family members were in a boat approximately 25 yards from shore. The victim, a 36-year-old St. Petersburg, Florida man, was bleeding profusely from the head.

Before the victim was taken to Fisherman’s Hospital, he told Deputies he was snorkeling close to the dock and got into an argument with the two suspects over his right to snorkel in the area. He stated both suspects struck him in the head and other parts of his body, Paulo De Oliveira with some kind of pole and Katia De Oliveira with a fishing rod.

The other people on the boat all corroborated the victim’s story. Security camera footage also corroborated the victim’s story.

Paulo De Oliveira and Katia De Oliveira were transported to the local jail.

(Source and Paulo De Oliveira, Katia De Oliveira mugshots: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Florida)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter