Florida man 'coughed and spat at Best Buy Geek Squad counter before spraying Coca-Cola from his mouth as he stormed out' after being denied service because he refused to wear a mask
A Florida man has been arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly coughing, sneezing and spitting all over a Best Buy Geek Squad counter after he was denied service for refusing to wear a mask.
Alton Ashby, 51, from Palm Bay, arrived at the Best Buy on 20th Street in Vero Beach at around noon on Saturday and headed to the Geek Squad counter, where an employee asked him to cover his face.
When Ashby refused to comply, the staffer called her manager, who handed the customer a mask.
Alton Ashby, 51, was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly refusing to wear a mask inside a Best Buy and then coughing and spitting all over a service counter
According to an arrest affidavit first obtained by The Smoking Gun, Ashby briefly donned the face covering, but then took it off and 'started sneezing.'
After being denied service, the 51-year-old man allegedly proceeded to cough and spit all over the counter, then walked to an adjoining department, where he coughed and spat some more.
Despite being asked to leave, Ashby remained at the store, which prompted a worker to call 911.
Before police arrived, the customer walked to the front of the store and allegedly sprayed Coca-Cola everywhere from his mouth.
As a result of Ashby's alleged antics, some customers left and workers were forced to sanitize multiple surfaces.
The incident took place on Saturday inside this Best Buy location on 20th Street in Vero Beach, Florida
By the time police responded to the scene, Ashby had left in a red Cadillac, but he was pulled over a short distance away from the store.
When questioned by an officer, Ashby initially claimed that ‘nothing happened,’ but then said he was 'upset and is going through a lot this year and got carried away at the store.'
He was booked into the Indian River County Jail on Saturday evening and was released that same night after posting $500 bond.
Ashby is due back in court for his arraignment on January 5.