Man arrested for punching manager at downtown Naples restaurant

Reporter: Jennifer Morejon Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
Michael Reilly (CREDIT: Naples Police Department)

A 70-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday night after getting into a fight with a manager at a 5th Avenue restaurant in Naples.

This isn’t the first time the upscale area has been the scene of a crime.

However, people in the area say they are not worried about their safety. They said arguments and fights are bound to happen where there’s a big mix of people.

According to Naples police, Michael Reilly approached the manager at Pazzo Restaurant to complain about the slow service.

The two got in an argument that led to a physical confrontation where Reilly punched the manager in the face and pushed him against the wall.

The incident happened at around 9:30 p.m.

Reilly told officers he was tired of the manager “running his mouth” so he punched him in the face.

Reilly was booked into the Naples Jail Center for simple battery.

On Monday, a separate incident led to the arrest of another man, who was drunkenly telling people he was Mick Jagger. Eugene Bingham was arrested by Naples police in the same area after disrupting a number of downtown Naples businesses.

“I feel completely safe,” said James Morrison, a Naples resident. “I’ve been down here for about 22 years and I feel safe all the time.”

Nancy and Dave Clarke told WINK News they come from a big city and are used to scenes like that.

There just needs to be more respect.

“Service industry works very hard here. And I think people should be more understanding, if not stay home and cook,” Nancy Clarke said.

Business owners said Naples police have two officers designated to the downtown area to oversee the avenue daily.

The department has also provided more officers due to the recent increase in visitors.

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