parking enforcement specialist’s vehicle, and began yelling through the driver’s side window. He

then threw the citation into the vehicle, while doing this he struck the parking enforcement

specialist in the face with his hand.

Officers promptly relayed the suspect’s vehicle description and license plate information to both

the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). A short time later,

FHP located the vehicle traveling westbound on State Road 528, just outside Brevard County.

Cocoa Beach officers responded to the location of the traffic stop, where Niele was detained

without incident.

Cocoa Beach detectives swiftly investigated the case and obtained an arrest warrant for Niele on

the following felony charges:

• Battery on a person 65 years of age or older

• Burglary with battery

Scott Niele was arrested and transported to the Brevard County Jail. The Cocoa Beach Police

Department would like to thank the Florida Highway Patrol and the Brevard County Sheriff’s

Office for their assistance in this case.

Chief Mullins issued the following statement regarding this incident:

“I am disgusted by the actions of Mr. Niele. We are talking about a civil parking fine for a

violation he self admittedly committed. We have millions of tourists through our city every year

and have never dealt with this type of behavior towards our parking enforcement folks.

We encourage visitors to come to Cocoa Beach. However, if you act like this tough guy, and

batter an eighty-year-old city employee then flee, we will find you and you will be held

accountable.”

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Sergeant

Payne of the Criminal Investigations Division at 321-868-3344.