Alleged Tape Measure Tosser Charged with Throwing Deadly Missile at Vehicle

An Indian Shores man was recently arrested after he allegedly tossed a tape measure at a truck and attacked the driver at the Largo Mall on April 3.

Arrest records show Nicholas James Stadtler, 34, was standing outside a vehicle parked in front of Famous Footwear at the mall when he began yelling at another driver to go around his vehicle.

As the other vehicle drove around Stadtler's, he threw a metal Stanley measuring tape at the victim's truck, striking the back window and damaging the glass, according to a Largo Police report.

After the elderly victim got out of the vehicle, police say Stadtler struck and kicked the victim to the ground, injuring the man.

Although Stadtler fled the scene before authorities arrived, they were able to use surveillance footage from the neighboring Marshall's store to identify him.

Stadtler was arrested April 24 and booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of throwing a deadly missile at an occupied vehicle and aggravated battery on a person over the age of 65, both felonies.

Records show Stadtler was released on bond on April 25.

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