By Andy Boyle, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 23, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG — It started as a dispute over an Xbox. It ended with a man going to jail.
William Benton Fonk, 34, of St. Petersburg, told police he never let the 16-year-old boyfriend of his girlfriend's daughter borrow his Xbox.
Fonk had called the boy's mother about three weeks ago, demanding the Xbox back, saying the 16-year-old had stolen it. The mother made the boy return it, but Fonk said some games were missing, according to police.
The mother said she would reimburse Fonk for any games missing, and, if he'd like, he could contact police to resolve the matter. Police have no record of him contacting them regarding the Xbox, and it was not clear whether the mother paid for the games. It is unknown what type of Xbox was involved.
At 1:15 a.m. Monday, Fonk was going to pick up his girlfriend's daughter, who was hanging out with the teen boy. After picking her up, Fonk drove around the block, police said, which was near 2133 43rd Ave. N.
Fonk then came up behind the teen boy, jumped the curb and hit him with his 1995 Chevy pickup's side-view mirror, police said. The boy fell, but wasn't seriously injured, police said.
Fonk then got out of the vehicle, grabbed the 16-year-old by his left arm and screamed at him, according to an arrest report. The 16-year-old got loose and ran away.
Police then went to Fonk's house. He denied the allegations, but his girlfriend's daughter said she witnessed the incident, police said.
Fonk was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He remained in jail Monday morning in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Fonk has been found guilty of burglary, grand-theft auto, grand theft, petty theft, possession and sale of marijuana, and burglary and has also served time in prison, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records.
Andy Boyle can be reached at (727) 893-8804 or aboyle@sptimes.com.
