A Brevard County homeless man is accused of threatening a man with a machete if he did not steal beer for him.
- Deputies: Homeless man approached victim in wooded area
- Man machete out of duffle bag, investigators say
- Suspect charged with kidnapping and armed robbery
Michael Laplante approached a boat in a wooded area and appeared to be looking for a man inside, investigators say.
According to deputies, the victim informed the homeless man that he was the only one present, and that’s when Laplante pulled a machete from a duffle bag. Laplante ordered the victim to ride a bike to a nearby Walmart and steal two six packs of beer for him.
The victim called authorities from a nearby business. Deputies arrested Laplante early Friday and charged him with kidnapping and armed robbery. The machete was found in a homeless camp, deputies said.