An 80-year-old Florida woman, Linda Montan Frenier, was arrested following a heated confrontation in a Walmart parking lot that resulted in her allegedly slapping another driver and snatching her phone.
The incident, which occurred on June 30 at the Walmart on South Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka, Florida, led to charges of robbery via sudden snatching and misdemeanor battery, according to Orange County court records.
The Incident: A Parking Lot Collision Turns Violent
On the afternoon of June 30, Frenier and another driver were involved in a fender-bender in the Walmart parking lot. The victim, who was driving northbound through the lot, had stopped at a stop sign behind Frenier’s vehicle to check her GPS. While stopped, Frenier attempted to reverse out of her parking spot and struck the victim’s car.
Instead of apologizing for the accident, Frenier allegedly blamed the other driver. According to the arrest affidavit, the victim got out of her vehicle and asked Frenier to calm down and exchange insurance information. However, Frenier allegedly became agitated, cursing at the victim and her brother.
Verbal Conflict Escalates to Physical Confrontation
Frenier reportedly responded to the victim’s request for insurance by saying, “I’m not giving you s–––, b––––.” The victim, trying to de-escalate the situation, began to walk away. However, Frenier allegedly approached her, got in her face, and made a gesture as though she was going to hit the victim.
In an outburst, Frenier then allegedly slapped the victim on the left side of her face. But the physical altercation did not stop there. The victim’s phone, which she was holding in her right hand, was reportedly snatched by Frenier. The defendant then threw the phone across the street, temporarily depriving the victim of its use.
Witnesses Confirm the Alleged Assault
A third woman, who witnessed the altercation from a nearby Steak ‘n Shake, corroborated the victim’s account of the events. The witness confirmed that she saw Frenier slap the victim and throw her phone across the street.
Frenier’s Confession
When authorities spoke to Frenier about the incident, she reportedly admitted to slapping the victim and grabbing her phone. After being read her Miranda rights, Frenier acknowledged that her actions were wrong and stated that the victim had upset her by “getting in her face.”
Legal Consequences
Frenier now faces serious charges following the altercation. She has been charged with robbery via sudden snatching, a felony, and battery, a misdemeanor. Despite her confession, Frenier’s actions—slapping the victim and throwing her phone—have led to legal consequences, with the victim stating that she wishes to prosecute.
