[PHOTO CREDIT: Foursquare.com]
[Original Publish Date: 11/04/19]
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LEESBURG, Florida – A four-time convicted felon got a free ride to the Lake County Jail Sunday after he pulled a gun on a restaurant employee when his friend was confronted for not paying for a meal.
Leesburg Police responded to Ichiban Buffet, 10401 US Highway 441 just after 6 p.m. Sunday for a report of a weapons complaint. The alleged victim told police she approached the man who didn’t pay and another man, later identified as Reuel Joseph Eccles, 34, of Orlando, according to an arrest affidavit. Eccles became “verbally aggressive” and told the victim, “I don’t give a (expletive,)” while pointing a handgun at her, described as a semi-automatic with a laser, the affidavit states. The victim told police Eccles cocked the gun and ejected a round, causing her to be in fear for her life. Police found a full metal jacket “Winchester 45 auto” round at the incident location, according to the affidavit.
Working on information from the Communications Center, police located the truck Eccles was in and pulled it over. Three males were in the truck, one matching the description of the man with the gun. Police pulled all three males out of the truck and a K9 officer began searching. That officer found a tan and black Springfield XDs semi-automatic handgun with a laser attached on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. The gun had a loaded magazine with ammunition that matched the ammunition found on the incident scene, police report.
The victim was brought to the scene of the traffic stop and positively identified Eccles in a live line-up. Eccles was charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Two violation of probation charges were added after his arrest. Eccles is being held at the Lake County Jail on no bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
