Easter bunny looses head, punches woman
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:06 am
http://www.nbc30.com/news/8794105/detail.html
:icon26:Police: Mall Easter Bunny Removes Head, Punches Woman
POSTED: 9:29 am EDT April 18, 2006
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Authorities said a man playing the Easter Bunny at a Florida mall is accused of removing the head of the costume and hitting a customer.
Police reports said 22-year-old Arthur McClure punched Erin Johansson when she got upset that the photo exhibit was closing 10 minutes early Saturday night. The alleged incident was witnessed by dozens of people, including 15 children, at Edison Mall.
McClure said he never punched Johansson and that he was only trying to stop a fight between his wife, exhibit manager Crystal Frechette, and Johansson.
Frechette acknowledged punching Johansson and said the woman poked her as she closed the set. Mall management issued an apology.
McClure and Frechette have been fired.
Both are charged with battery and disturbing the peace. They were released from Lee County jail Sunday and plan to get an attorney for their May 2 court hearing.