Salvation Army Bell Ringer Attacked FL Publix Manager: Sheriff

MARTIN COUNTY, FL — A drunk Salvation Army bell ringer was arrested for attacking the manager at a Publix in Martin County, authorities said.

Steven Pavlik, 63, was hired by the organization and stationed at its collection site at the Publix on Kanner Highway, “however, drunk ringing, belligerent tidings and assault took him from bell duty to booking blotter after a full blown charity tirade,” the Martin County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Christmas Eve social media post.

Pavlik, acting “like a bad Santa," was intoxicated on duty and aggressively confronted people walking by, the sheriff’s office said. This created “a major disturbance outside the store.”

When the Publix manager went outside to speak with him, Pavlik became violent and tried to impale the victim with the donation kettle tripod.

The manager was uninjured in the incident.

Pavlik left the scene, but deputies later found him at his home and he was taken into custody.

He was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

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