A 55-year-old man who was upset about a radio-controlled airplane flying over his house was arrested on a felony charge Monday after he punched the man who was flying the plane and stole his transmitter; sheriff’s reports said.Stephen M. Young, 1091 Port Orange Way, Golden Gate Estates, was arrested Monday and charged with grand theft and battery on a person over the age of 65.
Arrest reports gave this account:
Young was walking his dog outside his house in the Waterways community around 9:10 a.m. when he noticed a red model airplane flying above him. Young then got into his car with his dog and drove over to the Collier County fairgrounds, where members of a local flying club were flying radio-controlled model planes.
At the fairgrounds, Young walked onto the flying area and found a red model plane. He picked up the plane’s radio transmitter and placed it inside the trunk of his car.
Plane owner William D’Amico, 68, walked up to Young in an attempt to get his transmitter back, saying, “You can’t take my box.” D’Amico attempted to take Young’s car keys. A struggle ensued during which D’Amico told deputies that Young kicked him in the groin and punched him in the face. Witnesses also told deputies that they saw Young grab D’Amico by the throat.
Arrest reports say Young has had several incidents with the flying club, which meets regularly at the fairgrounds.
