Port Charlotte man accused of hitting SUV with bat in Punta Gorda

A Port Charlotte man is accused of hitting a vehicle with a bat, according to an arrest report from the Punta Gorda Police Department. According to the report, officers with the Punta Gorda Police Department first noticed a loud banging sound coming from a parking lot on August 1. When officers went to investigate, they found a Ford Expedition SUV with shattered glass and someone walking away from the vehicle. The individual, later identified as Orlando Perez Guerra, 42, was reportedly holding a metal object. Officers say they noticed fresh blood coming from his mouth. When they asked him what happened, he reportedly told them that he did not know, and that he was attacked. Perez Guerra told officers that he had been hit by a baseball bat, and that the attacker was driving the Ford Expedition. Perez Guerra went on to say that he initially came to the parking lot to meet someone to sell his gold chain to. Officers say that he changed his story, saying that he and the other man were there to discuss day-to-day matters, but a fight broke out. Perez Guerra was taken to the hospital. The Ford Expedition was towed. Officers noted that the vehicle has significant exterior damage consistent with it being struck by a bat. Before he was transported, officers spoke with Perez Guerra again, and he reportedly told them that while he was seated in his car, an unknown man approached him. The man then hit Perez Guerra in the mouth while he was exiting his car, he told officers. Perez Guerra reportedly told officers that he returned to his car, gabbed a baseball bat, and chased after the individual. He then reportedly said that he started hitting the Ford Expedition with the bat. On August 2, officers met with the registered owner of the Ford Explorer, who told them that he and Perez Guerra were friends, but had been experiencing issues. The owner told them that he and Perez Guerra were supposed to meet at the parking lot, but that when he arrived Perez Guerra chased him with and object after exiting his car. On Saturday, Perez Guerra came to the Punta Gorda Police Department to discuss the case. He reportedly told officers that a week before the initial incident he met with the owner of the Ford Expedition to sell his gold chain to the owner's cousin. Perez Guerra reportedly felt unsafe during the interaction and left. Perez Guerra said that at the time of the incident, the Ford Expedition owner called him to meet at the parking lot, and unexpectedly hit him in the face with a wooden stick. Perez Guerra then reportedly admitted to striking the Ford Expedition out of frustration after he chased the vehicle owner. Perez Guerra was arrested. He faces a felony criminal mischief charge. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV