Man accused of burglary, attempting to enter car during fight in Charlotte County

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

A man in Charlotte County is accused of burglary after deputies say he stopped a car and tried to enter it.

According to an arrest report from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a fight in progress at the 19000 block of Cochran Boulevard on Friday night. The report says that deputies saw the victim in their car and Deante Teshawn Farouk Altari, 25, standing by the driver's side door and reaching inside.

Altari reportedly told deputies that he was crossing Cochran Boulevard toward US-41 in front of a stop sign. He added that the victim honked their horn at him and made a crude gesture at him. Altari said that the victim then hit his left leg with their car, so he yelled at them saying that he was going to sue.

Altari said he then grabbed the victim's arms through the open door and the steering wheel of the van, trying to reach the keys of the ignition.

Deputies say he refused medical treatment for his reported leg pain.

The victim reportedly told deputies that they were driving onto Cochran Boulevard and saw Altari in the middle of the road, so they honked their horn. They added that Altari came up to the vehicle, acting erratically.

Altari, the victim said, jumped onto the hood and windshield of the van. The victim said they opened the door to get him away from the van when he entered and tried to turn off the ignition while yelling that he was going to sue.

A witness reportedly told deputies that they saw Altari trying to press the brake and gas pedals of the car and turn off the ignition.

Altari was arrested and is facing a burglary with assault or battery charge.

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