David O’Brien Tinder arrest: Florida man accused of ramming date’s car
Sumter County police say David O’Brien chased a Tinder date and her friends, rammed their car and pointed a gun after a money dispute.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
A David O’Brien Tinder arrest in Florida has left a 67-year-old man facing violent-crime charges after police said a paid date spiraled into a chase, a crash and an alleged gun threat.
Authorities in Sumter County said O’Brien met an unnamed woman on Tinder earlier this month and told her he wanted a “sugar baby” arrangement, offering $1,000 for each visit. The pair agreed to meet on Tuesday, according to police.
A sugar baby arrangement generally refers to one person receiving money, gifts or other support in connection with dating or companionship. Police described the term as part of O’Brien’s alleged conversation with the woman.
What is David O’Brien accused of?
Police say the date began with O’Brien giving the woman $200, then taking her to a lingerie store, where she bought three items. Investigators said he later handed her another $600 while they were at a restaurant.
The situation changed after O’Brien allegedly brought the woman back to his home in The Villages, the retirement community in Sumter County. Police said the woman became uneasy inside the house and contacted three friends, asking them to come get her.
According to law enforcement, O’Brien then demanded that she give the money back, saying her decision to leave was not what they had agreed to. Police said she refused.
Her friends arrived and picked her up, but investigators allege O’Brien followed them in a Ford F-150. Police said he struck their vehicle twice with the truck, sending it into a pole and leaving it disabled.
Authorities said three of the four people in the vehicle managed to get away. One person was allegedly cornered by O’Brien, who police said pointed a .22 semiautomatic Ruger at him and ordered him to get on the ground while threatening to kill him.
Police said that person escaped only after O’Brien became distracted.
What charges does David O’Brien face?
Authorities said they later found O’Brien and his Ford F-150, and that he had the gun with him when he was located.
O’Brien was arrested on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and four counts of aggravated battery, according to police.
He was released from the Sumter County jail on Thursday afternoon. No comment from O’Brien was reported.
The woman has not been publicly identified by police. The three friends who came to pick her up also were not named in the police account.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.