Police: Reveler Hit Cop In Face With Top Hat

JANUARY 2--Minutes after ringing in 2023, an Ohio woman vacationing in Florida was arrested for striking a uniformed cop squarely in the face with a plastic New Year’s Eve top hat, according to an arrest report.

Police were at a St. Petersburg restaurant early yesterday investigating a reported battery when Kristie Ethridge, 49, allegedly committed a felony attack on a law enforcement officer.

Cops say they were dispatched to the eatery--which was hosting a New Year’s Eve party--to investigate a battery allegedly committed by Ethridge’s husband William, 54. As police questioned William, Kristie (seen at right)  “continuously interjected herself into the conversation,” prompting Officer Anthony Bragano to advise her to “stop talking.”

Ethridge, cops charge, became “very upset” and yelled, “Are you fucking kidding me!” Ethridge, seen above, then “threw a plastic ‘New Year’s Eve’ top hat directly at me, striking me squarely in my face just above the eyes,” Bragano reported.

The 12:13 AM incident resulted in Ethridge’s bust on a felony battery rap. She was also hit with a misdemeanor charge for allegedly resisting police attempts to handcuff her.

William Ethridge (pictured below) was charged with battery for allegedly pushing a bar manager and then striking the male victim in the face, breaking his eyeglasses. At the time, Ethridge was being escorted out of the establishment “for being disorderly.” He was also charged with trying to “intervene” as his wife was being taken into custody.

Arrest affidavits indicate that both defendants showed an “indication of alcohol influence.” Kristie Ethridge was released from the county jail Sunday morning after posting $2650 bond. Her spouse was freed on $650 bond.

According to online profiles, the Ethridges live in a Columbus, Ohio suburb and operate a window shade company. (1 page)