A Florida man sought by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) in connection with a violent sucker-punch that left a shopper in a coma has been arrested and charged.
The BSO announced the arrest of Dandrea Johnson, 45, days after publicly pleading for tips to identify the suspect in the brutal assault at an Aldi grocery store in Lauderdale Lakes. Johnson was taken into custody on Wednesday and is facing a charge of felony battery causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement.
The arrest came after the Sheriff’s Office received numerous tips resulting from media coverage, which were turned over to Crime Stoppers, successfully identifying Johnson. RELATED: Man Critically Injured In Violent ‘Sucker Punch’ Attack Outside Florida Grocery Store
As previously reported, the altercation took place on October 11 at approximately 7:00 p.m. at the Aldi located at 3301 North State Road 7. Surveillance video captured the alleged victim, who was with his service dog, getting into a verbal argument with Johnson inside the store.
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According to police, Johnson then exited the store and waited for the victim to leave. A subsequent video shows the victim walking out with his service dog, only for Johnson to allegedly deliver a sucker-punch that caused the man to fall and strike his head hard on the ground.
The victim’s family, who had requested anonymity and appealed to the public for help, confirmed that the man was in a coma after sustaining “permanent injuries.”
In the initial days following the attack, the victim’s brother made a heartfelt plea for anyone with information to come forward, stating, “This was a senseless, brutal attack. Someone knows who this person is, and we need them to do the right thing and contact the police.”
Johnson made a court appearance on Thursday, and during the appearance, Johnson claimed the alleged attack was provoked, asserting that the other man’s service dog had attacked him.
The judge set Johnson’s bond at $100,000. Should he post bond, he will be required to wear an ankle monitor and must stay away from the Aldi store where the attack occurred.
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