A Newnan man was arrested on Feb. 6 after spontaneously spanking the 2-year-old child of another customer while waiting in a checkout line at a grocery store.
Juan Guvarra Martinez, 62, (above) was charged with simple battery, disorderly conduct and obstruction, according to Newnan Police Department records.
The incident occurred on Feb. 6 at the Kroger store in Bullsboro Drive.
Officers arriving at the scene were told by the boy’s father that an intoxicated Hispanic male in the self-checkout lane had grabbed his son and spanked him. The father said store employees quickly observed what happened and separated the two, police reports said.
Martinez, who was still in the checkout line, was approached by officers, telling them that the young boy was “doing something with a candy bar,” reports said.
Reports noted that Martinez had a strong odor of alcohol and was using slurred speech, then began cursing in front of employees and customers.
Martinez was taken to the ground after resisting officers’ attempts to place him in handcuffs, reports said, adding that he kicked the doors and windows of the patrol unit once inside.
Martinez would not respond to staff at the Coweta County Jail and was taken to Piedmont Newnan Hospital where he was medically cleared and transported back to jail, according to reports.
Reports said Martinez was told not to return to the Kroger store.
