North Lauderdale, FL - A South Florida man was arrested for throwing mangos and a rock at his neighbor in a homophobic hate crime.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) made the arrest report public on Wednesday, revealing the details of the fruit-filled assault.
According to the report, 61-year-old Charles Oliver Lovekin owns a mango tree at his residence on Southwest 10th Street in North Lauderdale.
The incident occurred when his neighbor approached him to inquire about a mango that had fallen onto the side of his patio, making a loud noise.
The situation escalated as Lovekin allegedly became enraged and started hurling insults at his neighbor, labeling him a “mother [expletive]” and “gay.”
The report states Lovekin proceeded to throw two mangos at his neighbor; one missed, but the other struck the man in the chest.
Lovekin then threw a rock at the victim, who managed to dodge it successfully.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies interviewed Lovekin, who openly admitted to the attack. “I threw the mangos at him because I thought he was gay,” he told the officers. “I felt uncomfortable by the way he was looking at me, so I threw the mangos and rock at him,” he added.
The victim, who is married to a woman and has children, expressed fear for the safety of his family and himself during the attack.
He also disclosed that he is taking blood thinners.
As of Wednesday, Lovekin remained in the BSO Main Jail, facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing bodily harm, committing a third-degree felony with evidence of prejudice, and committing a first-degree misdemeanor with evidence of prejudice.
He is being held on a $15,000 bond.
A judge has ordered Lovekin to submit to electronic monitoring and to have no contact with the victim.