Background: Surveillance image from the Aldi store in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., where a man punched another shopper (Broward County Sheriff”s Office). Inset: Dandrea Johnson (Broward County Sheriff’s Office).
A Florida man who was identified as the suspect in an alleged assault at an Aldi grocery store that put a shopper into a coma has been arrested.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office announced that days after asking for the public’s help in finding the man responsible for sucker-punching another man at an Aldi in Lauderdale Lakes, a suspect was identified and arrested. Dandrea Johnson, 45, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with felony battery causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Police said that Johnson was identified after receiving tips from media coverage that were turned over to CrimeStoppers.
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As Law&Crime previously reported, the alleged altercation between Johnson and the unnamed victim took place on Oct. 11 at around 7 p.m. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video that captured the alleged victim with his service dog walking down one of the aisles inside Aldi. The suspect, now identified as Johnson, was seen approaching the man and getting into a verbal argument with him.
Another video shows the alleged victim leaving the store with his service dog. Johnson then enters the shot and allegedly punches the other man, causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head on the ground. Police said that the suspect waited outside for the victim and “sucker punched” him.
In their interviews with local media, the victim’s family said that the man was in a coma after sustaining “permanent injuries.” Local independent news station WPLG reported that the man is still hospitalized in a coma.
WPLG reported that Johnson made a court appearance on Thursday. He reportedly told the judge that the other man’s service dog attacked him, which was what led to the alleged attack.
The judge set Johnson’s bond at $100,000 and ruled that if he posts bond, he will have to wear an ankle monitor and stay away from the Aldi store.
