A 56-year-old Florida City woman was arrested Tuesday after attempting to hit a coworker with a hammer at an Islamorada business.
Teresa Denise Richards was charged with aggravated assault without intent to kill and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Upper Keys Sgt. Greg Johnson, Deputy Martin Digrius and Deputy Matthew O’Neill were called to the 100 block of Industrial Drive at 7:21 a.m. regarding a fight. Richards stated she was attacked by a coworker. The three deputies then went to the area where the fight occurred, a nearby wood shop also on Industrial Drive used by Lobster Trap Art Gift Shop and Gallery. Once there, they found the other female coworker involved in the incident.
The other coworker stated Richards had been causing issues at work, such as cordoning off her work area which prevents other workers from traversing the area in order to retrieve items they may need. The coworker stated that in this case, she needed a dust pan, but her access to it was blocked due to Richards’ placement of a chop saw. The coworker stated she asked Richards to hand her the dust pan and Richards responded by extending a middle finger. The coworker stated she attempted to move the chop saw to gain access to the dust pan, but as she did this, Richards picked up a hammer and began swinging it hat her. The coworker was able to grab Richards’ arm to prevent being struck. A struggle ensued. Richards fell backward into an industrial drum fan. The coworker pinned her to the ground until another worker, a male worker, removed the hammer from Richards’ grip.
The coworker stated she released Richards at that time, but Richards then picked up a long wooden stick and struck her multiple times with it. The male worker was again able to disarm Richards. Richards then walked to the back door and obtained an unknown item — the coworker stated she believed it may have been a screwdriver — and made additional threats.
The male worker interjected a third time, stating he was going to call the supervisor. Richards then put down the item and left the immediate area.
The male worker told deputies there was video surveillance of the incident. The hammer and wooden stick were received at the scene and placed into evidence.
Deputies went back to Richards’ location. When confronted with video evidence, she stated that she did pick up a hammer during the incident.
Richards was taken to jail.