Inset: Jenevi Lia Hidalgo (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation). Background: PetSmart location of assault (Google Maps)
A fight broke out at a Florida PetSmart after an employee gave a customer buying crickets the silent treatment.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on May 20 at the store at 8241 W. Flagler St. in Miami-Dade County, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by local ABC affiliate WPLG.
Jenevi Lia Hidalgo, 24, reportedly requested to buy crickets so an employee went to the back of the store and returned with a bag of the insects. But as the employee went to the register Hidalgo reportedly became upset about the number of crickets inside the bag. Hidalgo allegedly began to argue with the employee.
“Do you want to take this outside?” Hidalgo reportedly said.
Instead of engaging with Hidalgo, the employee simply walked back to the employees-only “pump room” to recount the insects.
“While the victim was in the pump room and her back turned to the door, (Hidalgo) entered the pump room and willfully and intentionally pushed the victim in the back,” police reportedly said.
The employee reportedly told Hidalgo “you can’t be here” but that did not defuse the situation. Hidalgo allegedly punched the employee multiple times. She then reportedly “grabbed the victim’s hair and threw her to the ground.” Another employee intervened to stop the assault and prevent Hidalgo from “continuing to punch the victim while on the ground.” The victim suffered scratches to her face and a minor bruise on her forehead, cops said. Hidalgo then left the store.
On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Police Department filed burglary with assault charges, court records say. Hidalgo turned herself into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where she has since posted a $2,000 bond.
Her next court date is scheduled for Aug. 28. She has pleaded not guilty.
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