A Florida man has been arrested after authorities say he intentionally drove his SUV toward an 11-year-old boy riding an e-bike, struck the child, and then smashed the boy’s cellphone after the child began recording the encounter.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Gregory Hoole, 44, has been charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, child abuse, and criminal mischief.
Child Says SUV Drove Toward Him
The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon in a neighborhood in Windermere, Florida, where deputies responded to reports of a crash involving a vehicle and a child on an e-bike.
According to the arrest affidavit, the 11-year-old told investigators that Hoole drove his Ford Explorer through a stop sign while making a right turn before steering into the opposite lane toward him.
The child told deputies he jumped onto the grass to avoid being hit directly, but the SUV allegedly struck both his leg and his e-bike.
Phone Allegedly Smashed After Recording Began
After the incident, the boy began recording Hoole with his iPhone and told him he planned to call the police.
Investigators allege that Hoole responded by striking the child’s arm, taking the phone from him, and throwing it onto the ground, damaging it.
Those allegations led to the criminal mischief charge.
Hoole Claimed Children Were Harassing His Family
After leaving the scene, Hoole called 911 from his home and reported what he described as a “strong-arm robbery.”
According to police, Hoole claimed the 11-year-old and two other juveniles had been harassing his family.
He told deputies the boy had come to his home earlier, rang the doorbell several times, and ran away before anyone answered, leaving members of his household frightened.
Doorbell Camera Captured an Earlier Visit
Investigators reviewed footage from the family’s doorbell camera.
According to the affidavit, the video showed a boy matching the victim’s description approaching the front door, ringing the bell, and then walking back toward his e-bike.
Hoole reportedly told officers that his wife intended to contact police about the incident.
Defendant Admitted Confronting the Children
Police said Hoole acknowledged driving over to confront the children after seeing them riding through the neighborhood.
According to investigators, he questioned them about allegedly harassing his family, and a verbal argument followed.
Hoole told deputies the children used profanity toward him.
He also admitted taking the boy’s cellphone and throwing it onto the ground before returning home.
Surveillance Video Supported Investigation
Authorities obtained surveillance footage from another nearby residence that reportedly captured the incident.
According to investigators, the video appeared to show Hoole driving his SUV toward the child before making an abrupt stop.
Following the investigation, deputies arrested Hoole and booked him into the Orange County Jail.
Earlier Fireworks Dispute Mentioned
The boy’s parents told investigators their son had experienced problems with Hoole since a Fourth of July fireworks incident.
According to Hoole’s attorney, Andrew Darling, the child and his friends had allegedly set off fireworks over Hoole’s home.
Darling also argued during Hoole’s court appearance that there was no visible damage to either the child’s e-bike or Hoole’s SUV and described the charges as presenting a misleading characterization of what occurred.
Bond and Court Restrictions
A judge set Hoole’s bond at $7,650.
As conditions of his release, the court ordered him not to drive through the intersection where the alleged incident occurred and to have no contact with the child or the child’s family.
Court records indicated that Hoole was no longer listed in the Orange County Jail roster as of Friday, and a future court date had not yet been scheduled.
The investigation remains ongoing. Hoole is presumed innocent unless and until the charges against him are proven in court.
