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MERRITT ISLAND, FL – A routine visit to a Subway restaurant turned violent on April 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of Edward Robert Joseph Cocaine, 45, on charges of aggravated assault, armed burglary, and battery. The incident occurred at the Subway located at 3120 North Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida, according to a report from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a disturbance call at the restaurant, where they encountered two individuals, identified as Victim 1 and Victim 2, who reported being confronted by an irate customer armed with a knife. An investigation, which included reviewing video surveillance footage, collecting sworn statements, and conducting interviews, revealed the sequence of events that led to Cocaine’s arrest.
According to the investigation, Cocaine and his neighbor, John Anzalone, had entered the Subway to order food. While placing their order, a verbal altercation broke out, reportedly triggered by what Anzalone described as “disrespectful behavior” from the employees and a request from Victim 2 for the pair to leave the premises. Surveillance footage captured Cocaine becoming increasingly aggressive, moving toward the employee-only area behind the counter—an area restricted to the general public.
The situation escalated when Cocaine forced open a side door, physically engaging with Victim 1 by pushing and pulling her in an attempt to reach Victim 2. During the confrontation, Cocaine produced a foldable knife, extending the blade to a fixed position and raising it overhead in a manner suggestive of a potential strike. Anzalone intervened, restraining Cocaine and preventing further escalation. The two men then fled the scene in a 2007 Dodge Ram registered to Anzalone, heading northbound on North Courtenay Parkway.
Following the incident, Deputy Dial identified Cocaine as the suspect through investigative means. Anzalone provided a sworn audio-recorded statement, claiming that Cocaine had become agitated by the perceived disrespect and that he believed Cocaine may have noticed a bread knife in the restaurant, though he confirmed neither victim appeared to possess any weapons. Anzalone stated he pulled Cocaine back to de-escalate the situation, and the pair returned to their residences.
On April 9, 2025, Cocaine was brought to the East Precinct for a consensual interview. After being informed of the interview’s purpose, Cocaine provided a full confession, admitting to forcing his way through the side door with the intent to pursue Victim 2. He expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the unhinged nature of producing the knife during the dispute, which he claimed could have caused bodily harm.
Cocaine now faces serious charges, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (Florida Statute 784.021.1A-E), a third-degree felony; armed burglary of a structure (Florida Statute 810.02.2.B-B), a first-degree felony; and battery (Florida Statute 784.03.1.A-1), a first-degree misdemeanor.
