Florida Man Arrested For Battering Cop with 4th of July Food

It’s Independence Day weekend here in the United States, which means that there will be plenty of imbibing and patriotism to be had from coast to coast.

As Americans celebrate the 4th of July and the fight for freedom that it symbolizes, we often do so in a number of predictable ways.  Many of us head for the beach or the lake, where we set off fireworks, dress up in patriotic colors, and eat food that’s cooked out on the grill.

Oh, and there’s usually quite a few drinks being passed around as well.

But as revelers in the Sunshine State began to bear down for the holiday weekend, the infamous and ubiquitous Florida Man was back at it.

A Tampa Bay area man was arrested Saturday for allegedly throwing a hot dog at an officer who warned him he was violating a city ordinance, according to a local report.

So, what happened?

Jason Stoll, 47, is charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence.

Jason Stoll of New Port Richey, FLa. 

Jason Stoll of New Port Richey, FLa.  (Pinellas County jail)

Around 12 a.m. Saturday, a St. Petersburg police officer told Stoll he could no longer sell hot dogs in the roadway after his street closure permit ended, according to court documents obtained by WFLA.

An officer asked Stoll to close up shop, but he continued to try selling a hot dog, the court documents say. Stoll became frustrated and threw a hot dog at the officer, who was in full uniform at the time of the incident, according to the station.

Stoll was arrested, and bail was set at $2,500.

The incident has added to the pantheon of legends about “Florida Man” – the quasi-mythical moniker given to any denizen of the Sunshine State to be arrested or otherwise made infamous by their bizarre behavior.