Man accused of battering 88-year-old man

An 88-year-old man was reportedly just returning a lost dog to a woman, but her boyfriend told law enforcement a different story after being arrested on battery charges against a person over 65.

Edward Earl Ferrell, 48, of 1995 W. County Line Road, Lot 40, Avon Park, was also charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling while unarmed, a second-degree felony. He remained in the Highlands County Jail Wednesday under a $30,000 bond.

On Tuesday, the 88-year-old victim told Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Alfredo Campos he found Ferrell's missing dog behind his home. The suspect's girlfriend then went over to retrieve the located pooch, according to the arrest report.

"Edward saw (his girlfriend) at (the victim's) residence, so Edward became upset," Campos wrote in the report. "He believes Edward became jealous because Edward thought he was trying to flirt with (the girlfriend)."

Ferrell reportedly came into the 88-year-old's home and started punching him in the face. The man fell to the ground, but Ferrell continued his assault, allegedly grabbing him by the neck and telling him to leave his girlfriend alone, according to the report.

The suspect's story did not completely match up with the victim's. His version included drinking with the 88-year-old and getting angry when he saw the man yelling at his girlfriend, the report stated.

Ferrell also alleged that the man punched him first. His girlfriend's statements were consistent with that version of the story.

Marks and bruises were seen on the victim's face and nose, but there were no marks on his neck to suggest he had been choked, the report stated. No marks were found on Ferrell's face.