Man Arrested For Punching Gas Station Clerk: Police

LAKELAND, FL — A suspect accused of punching a gas station employee that caused the victim to have critical injuries was arrested Saturday, Lakeland police said.

Mandel Baker, 35, faces a charge of felony battery with great bodily harm, according to investigators.

Surveillance footage and citizen tips submitted through Crime Stoppers Florida, Baker was identified and arrested, a news release said.

According to a witness, Baker asked the store clerk to give him cigarettes for payment at a later date on Friday evening. The clerk told Baker no. Baker then approached another store employee with the same request, and he was denied again. The suspect then ran toward the employee and punched him in the face. The 58-year-old victim fell back and hit his head on the hard floor surface, and experienced life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

He was taken to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment. At last update, the victim remains in critical condition.

Original Patch Story:

A 58-year-old gas station clerk is in critical condition after he fell and hit his head Friday after a suspect punched him in the face inside a store, Lakeland Police Department said.

The suspect had left the Food Mart/Mobil, 1615 West Memorial Blvd, before police arrived shortly after 5:25 p.m., according to investigators. The victim was taken to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment where authorities last listed him in critical condition.

If you know, or you have other information that can help identify this suspect, contact Detective Biko Duhaney at biko.duhaney@lakelandgov.net or (863) 834-8999. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contactHeartland Crime Stoppers Florida