Guy Mistakes Greek Christian Priest For Muslim Jihadist And Oh Boy Is He In Trouble Now
Marine arrested in attack on Orthodox priest
Alexios Marakis was in town from Crete to perform a blessing of a retired priest. But police say he got off the wrong exit on Interstate 275 and ended up driving around downtown before following a line of cars into the Seaport Channelside Apartments on Twiggs Street.
Marakis, 29, got out of his car to ask for directions, but police say 28-year-old Jasen Bruce took out a tire iron and hit him over the head, then chased him on foot for three blocks.
During the chase, police say Bruce called 911 and claimed an Arabic male attempted to rob him and he was going to take him into custody. When officers arrived, they say Bruce claimed the man was a terrorist.
“The suspect grabbed his cell phone and calls 911, and claims that he is running after an Arabic male who attempted to rob him and that he is going to secure him and take him into custody,” said Tampa Police Department spokesperson Laura McElroy.
McElroy said Marakis fell to the ground several times during while Bruce hit him with a tire iron.
...Despite his injuries, the church says, Marakis still has his faith.
“He’s praying for this individual who caused this. He’s a very humble person, and he’s praying for this individual because this individual made a grave mistake in attacking him,” said Jerry Theophilopoulos, attorney for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
According to police, Bruce is a Marine reservist. When officers returned to his apartment for an additional interview, his lawyer was present and he was uncooperative, they said.
...Bruce faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, but detectives are working to determine if the offense meets the state standard for a hate crime.
A spokesman for the Marine Corps said Bruce has been a reservist since 2002, and has never been deployed.
FOX 13 has learned Bruce also has a career on the side modeling, involving what some may believe are very provocative photos on Allamericanguys.com. On his profile, he talks about being a marine reservist.
