Suspect arrested after elderly man pulled down mall escalator

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A suspect is behind bars after police say he dragged an elderly victim down a mall escalator on Jan. 27, 2024, causing serious injuries.

San Antonio police said 31-year-old Daymein Garcia followed the 81-year-old victim up the escalator at North Star Mall after “some type of confrontation in the Dillards’ dressing room.”

The victim reportedly went to a handicapped stall to try on a sweater and encountered someone there. The man said he closed the door and went into another locker room.

Garcia then followed him out of the store and dragged him down the escalator, police said.

According to police, the victim’s head hit the steps, causing serious injuries throughout his body.