From Hudson Sangree:
Sacramento police say a panhandler was arrested today after allegedly punching the manager of a Florin Road gas station who had insisted he leave the premises.
Police spokesman Konrad von Schoech said the incident occurred about 9 a.m. at a Valero gas station in the 2400 block of Florin Road.
The suspect, Vincent Laday Duvall, photo, was aggressively asking customers for money, von Schoech said.
One woman was scared to return to her car, and a station manager offered to accompany her, von Schoech said.
When Duvall approached the woman, the manager told him to leave, he said.
Duvall refused and allegedly punched the 42-year-old manager several times, injuring him, von Schoech said.
Two sheriff's security officers were at a county office nearby and responded to the scene. They arrested Duvall, and he was booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail on charges of battery and making threats.
He also faces outstanding warrants for evading fares on Regional Transit. He is being held in lieu of $42,000 bail.
"You never know how desperate these people are and what lengths they'll go to," von Schoech said.
Anyone who feels threatened in a similar situation should call police, he said.
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