Tampa, FL November 10, 2009 -
DATE/TIME: 11/09/09, 6:35p.m.
LOCATION: 1120 Twiggs Street East, first floor parking garage
SUSPECT: Jasen D. Bruce, W/M, DOB: 7/9/81, 1120 East Twiggs Street, Apt. 124, Tampa
VICTIM: Alexios Marakis, W/M, DOB: 2/19/80, visiting St. Nicholas Greek Cathedral, 17 East Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs
CHARGES: Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon
DETAILS: The victim is a Greek Orthodox Priest visiting from Crete, Greece who ended up lost in downtown Tampa. He had just performed a blessing of another retired Greek Priest in the Westshore area when he accidentally exited 275 north into downtown, Tampa. He drove around downtown until he followed a line of cars into the Seaport Channelside Apartments on Twiggs Street. He exited his car to ask the suspect for help, but the suspect took out a tire iron and hit him over the head. He then chased the victim for three blocks to the corner of Madison Avenue and Meridian Avenue. During the chase, the suspect called 911 and claimed an Arabic male attempted to rob him and he was going to take him into custody. When officers arrived, the suspect claimed the man was a terrorist. The victim was transported to Tampa General. Tampa Police Officers used the hospital's translation service to interview the victim who spoke limited English. When officers returned to the suspect's apartment for an additional interview, his lawyer was present and he was uncooperative. The victim was treated and released from Tampa General Hospital. Detectives are working to determine if the offense meets the state standard for a hate crime.
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