A San Francisco bar owner has been arrested after allegedly attacking a clothing-shop employee with a baseball bat, hours after a dispute over a parking space.
Cyril Hackett, 63, who owns Mad Dog in the Fog and Kezar Pub, was booked shortly after 1am on Saturday on suspicion of second-degree robbery and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm.
The original argument took place outside Further, a Grateful Dead-themed clothing shop on Haight Street, near Mad Dog in the Fog. Drew Wood, an employee at the shop, said the disagreement began when Hackett tried to take a space being used to unload a van.
Wood’s colleague, who gave their name as Wolf, recorded part of the confrontation. They said Hackett’s vehicle backed into Wood’s van and that Hackett then struck them with a car door several times.
The parking space was eventually taken by Wolf, and those involved appeared to leave the matter there. But about eight hours later, the two employees said Hackett returned to the shop carrying a baseball bat.
Baseball bat allegedly used in shop assault
Surveillance footage appears to show a man entering the store, striking an object with the bat and taking a jacket from a clothing rail before attempting to leave.
Wood said he and Wolf followed him outside, where Hackett allegedly swung the bat at him. Wood said he managed to avoid several blows before being struck on the side of the knee, making it difficult to walk.
He said he was not seriously injured. The employees recovered the jacket and blocked Hackett’s vehicle until officers arrived and arrested him.
Wood said he did not believe Hackett was intoxicated and that he did not wish him harm, but hoped the incident would make him reconsider threatening people with baseball bats during disputes.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Hackett remained in custody while prosecutors reviewed the case. Her office was expected to announce on Tuesday, September 29, whether formal charges would be filed.
Employees at Mad Dog in the Fog declined to comment.
