PANAMA CITY BEACH — A man visiting the area on Spring Break was arrested and charged with attacking an elderly man in his home for no apparent reason, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office reported Friday.
Keith Leon Rakestraw, 24, of Chetopa, Kan., was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling with intent to commit a battery and battery of a person more than 65 years of age after authorities said he entered the Gulf Drive home of a 93-year-old man Thursday afternoon.
Rakestraw allegedly walked through the front door while the elderly man was sitting on the couch. Rakestraw went to the sliding-glass door and grabbed a PVC pipe that the victim used to secure the entry, police said. Rakestraw approached the victim and began striking a newspaper on the couch with the pipe, the BCSO reported.
The victim told police he tried to speak with Rakestraw but received no response. Rakestraw then struck the victim with the pipe in the right arm and cheek, police said.
Rakestraw then left the house and was spotted by one of the victim’s neighbors, who led later deputies to the suspect.
After being taken into custody, the victim identified Rakestraw as the attacker, according to the BCSO. The victim stated he had never seen the man before the attack.
The victim suffered minor lacerations and bruising and told deputies he would seek medical attention on his own.