Naples man arrested in Florida Keys, accused of punching store clerk while trying to steal beer

FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. —

A Naples man was arrested in the Florida Keys on Tuesday after being accused of punching a store clerk while trying to steal an 18-pack of beer.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Johnny Lee Powers, 41, hit an Islamorada convenience store clerk in the face when the clerk attempted to stop him from stealing an 18-pack of beer. No serious injuries were reported.

Deputies responded to the scene at the Tom Thumb store near mile marker 88.5 at around 10:10 p.m. MCSO said the victim was holding his face and Powers was trying to hide a beer in his backpack.

Powers then refused deputies' commands, clenched his fists and tensed his body before advancing towards deputies in an aggressive manner, MCSO said. There was a visible knife in Powers' pocket.

Powers was tased and detained. He was medically cleared at a Tavernier hospital and then arrested.

Powers faces charges of battery, theft and resisting arrest.

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