82-year-old man arrested for slashing a woman’s tires over bingo

Police have arrested an 82-year-old Lake Wales man for slashing a woman’s tires because he claimed she was sitting in his favorite bingo seat.

Fred Smith was charged with criminal mischief last Monday when police say he took an ice pick to 88-year-old Ethel Britt’s van during a weekly bingo game at the Lake Ashton Retirement Community Club House.

Police say Smith stormed out of the bingo hall and punctured two of Britt’s tires because she was sitting in a chair he usually sits in. Smith was caught on surveillance video in the act.

Lake Wales Deputy Chief Troy Schulze Smith says Smith admitted to the crime and expressed regret. Smith faces having to pay $500 in tire damage and restitution back to Britt.