Suspect Steals Drinks, Clubs Bar Staffer in the Head with Gun

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office arrested Steven Delaine, age 26, after investigating reports of a man with a weapon at a local bar.

At 2:25 a.m. on April 28, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to investigate the disturbance at Jersey’s Hometown Tavern, located at 4598 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, where witnesses reported that a black male with dreadlocks was causing trouble and assaulted a staff member who attempted to remove him from the establishment.

The suspect, identified as Steven Delaine, was asked to leave after stealing drinks but then brandished a firearm and used it to repeatedly hit one of the bar staff members over the head.

When deputies arrived, witnesses identified the suspect, who was outside of the bar. The suspect was uncooperative with deputies and ran toward another bar nearby and then toward a wooded area, where deputies caught him. During the pursuit, the suspect removed his shirt and wrapped the gun in the shirt, then threw it into the woods, but Deputy S. Derryberry and his canine partner Meck located the weapon and the suspect’s shirt.

Steven Delaine was placed under arrest and charged as follows with Resist Arrest w/o Violence, Illegal Possession of Firearm, Aggravated Battery w/Deadly Weapon. Delaine was not provided with a bond.
Delaine was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center.