A quiet day at a beach in Florida suddenly turned into a frightening scene after a man allegedly chased people with a drill and a beach umbrella while making death threats, according to police.
The accused, identified as Yacov Levi, 50, is now facing serious criminal charges, including attempted aggravated battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, and criminal mischief. He appeared in court in Miami on Friday following his arrest.
The incident happened on Wednesday at a beach in Surfside, a coastal town located just north of Miami Beach.
Beach Chair Request Turns Violent
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Levi first approached people sitting near a condominium beach area on Collins Avenue and asked if he could use one of their beach chairs.
Witnesses told police that he was refused because he did not live in the residential complex. After being denied, Levi allegedly became angry and grabbed a beach umbrella, attempting to strike one of the beachgoers.
The situation escalated moments later when Levi reportedly picked up a large drill fitted with a sand-digging attachment and charged toward a man while shouting, “I’m going to kill you.”
Witnesses Run for Safety
Police documents say one man managed to run away before Levi turned toward another person on the beach. Several witnesses reportedly saw him running across the sand carrying the drill, creating panic among people nearby.
Emergency calls quickly brought officers from the Surfside Police Department to the scene after reports of a man threatening people with a power tool.
Dramatic Police Arrest Caught on Camera
When officers arrived, they found Levi sitting in a beach chair while still holding the drill, which had a large digging attachment connected to it.
Body camera footage later shared by WPLG showed officers pointing Tasers at Levi and ordering him to raise his hands and get on the ground.
Police say he was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody. However, before his arrest, Levi allegedly used the drill to damage a beach chair, causing nearly $500 worth of property damage.
Previous Beach Arrest Raises Eyebrows
This is reportedly not Levi’s first unusual encounter with police at the same beach.
According to local reports, he was arrested in 2023 after allegedly attempting to steal a jet ski while naked. That earlier case was later dismissed.
With multiple felony charges now filed, Levi remains at the center of another bizarre and serious Florida beach incident.
