Homeless Man Accused Of Hitting Elderly Woman During 'Rage-Filled Episode' After She Woke Him Up, Police Say

A homeless man in Florida was arrested after he allegedly hit an elderly woman after he became upset because she had disturbed his sleep, authorities said.

According to an arrest report obtained by WPEC, a witness told police Andrew Eason, 38, allegedly was sleeping outside in West Palm Beach when the 71-year-old alleged victim woke him up.

Eason and other homeless people often sleep in the park where the incident occurred, the report states.

“[The witness] stated Ethan, who had just woken up, became irritated and open-handed slapped [the victim] across the face,” the report reads.

Eason later explained to officers that he “was sleeping at the park when he was woken up by an elderly lady who at the time of waking him up, was grabbing onto a bag of his which contained his belongings,” the report states, adding that the suspect claimed “he only removed the bag from [the victim], and never struck nor touched her.”

According to the alleged victim, she often helps homeless in the area to pack and store their property when the weather is bad so it doesn’t become wet.

The woman said when Eason woke up, “he began to experience a rage-filled ‘episode’ and for seemingly no reason — other than her touching his belongings — he struck her with his hand across her face.”

Officers wrote in the report that “slightly red raised skin” was visible on the woman’s left cheek area.

Eason was charged with battery on a person 65 years or older and his bail was set at $3,000.