Manatee deputies say Sarasota man used axe to evict woman

MANATEE -- A Sarasota man was arrested Tuesday after he tried to use an axe to forcibly evict a woman from his daughter's home, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Joseph San Fillipo, 46, was visiting his daughter in the 1000 block of 69th Avenue West around 6:30 p.m., according to an arrest report. He had been trying to help his daughter in the process of evicting a woman who had lived in a connecting back room of the daughter's home for four months, due to the woman not paying rent.

San Fillipo grabbed an axe and headed to the woman's room, deputies said. As the door opened, the woman started screaming and forcefully kicked the door shut, but it didn't shut all the way and San Fillipo grabbed the woman's arm.

Witnesses told deputies they heard the woman screaming and saw an axe in San Fillipo's hand. There were no injuries observed on the woman when deputies arrived.

Damage to the door was estimated at $200.

San Fillipo was charged with simple battery and criminal mischief. He was released from the Manatee County jail Wednesday on bonds totaling $620.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 9:30 AM with the headline "Manatee deputies say Sarasota man used axe to evict woman ."