Man refused entry at office put on helmet, drove into building, Florida cops say

A 70-year-old man rebuffed at a financial services company took his annoyance to extremes when he put on a helmet and drove into the building, according to investigators in Florida.

Robert Beaty’s pickup came to a stop only after it got tangled in a turnstile, a Tampa Police Department photo shows.

The series of crashes began just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the United Services Automobile Association facility on Commerce Park Boulevard in Tampa, police said in a news release.

“It was determined that he intentionally crashed into the USAA building,” police said.

“The investigation revealed that Beaty arrived at the guard gate demanding to speak with a USAA representative. Guards refused entry to Beaty. In turn, Beaty put on a helmet, drove recklessly through the USAA parking garage, and damaged numerous fences inside the property.”

A marked security SUV pursued Beaty’s vehicle and tried blocking him in, “but he intentionally reversed and struck their vehicle to create space,” police said.

“When officers arrived, Beaty was located on the third floor of the parking garage, where he was taken into custody,” police said. “Fortunately, no one sustained any injuries.”

He is being held without bond on two felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (vehicle/pickup), one felony count of burglary of an occupied structure, and one felony count of criminal mischief $1,000 or more, police said.

Details of Beaty’s intent at the office were not revealed, but he “is not believed to be a former employee,” police said. He lives in Tampa, according to Hillsborough County jail records.

USAA handles “insurance, banking and retirement solutions” for members of the military, veterans, and their family members, according to USAA.com.

This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 12:05 PM with the headline "Man refused entry at office put on helmet, drove into building, Florida cops say."