LAKE CITY, FL – An unusual incident involving a 67-year-old cyclist and a pharmacy technician has led to serious criminal charges in Lake City. Danny Keith Phelps faces accusations of kidnapping and assault following a strange altercation with the woman during her delivery route.
The episode began last Thursday afternoon about 60 miles west of Jacksonville, when Phelps allegedly claimed he had been struck by the technician’s vehicle at a traffic light. Police responded promptly to a report of false imprisonment and aggravated assault at the local pharmacy.
According to the police report, the disagreement started when the woman and Phelps engaged in a gesture to allow each other to pass, resulting in a minor collision between her car and Phelps’ bicycle as he moved into the intersection. The woman got out of her car to check on Phelps, during which time he allegedly snatched her phone, preventing her from calling for help, and threatened her.
Phelps allegedly brandished an item from his pocket and demanded that the woman drive him to a specific location. Under duress, she consented, and Phelps sat in the passenger seat holding a pocketknife on his lap. Upon arriving at the destination, Phelps left with his bicycle, and the woman returned to the pharmacy to report the incident.
In a twist, Phelps later contacted the pharmacy himself, claiming damage to his bicycle by one of their vehicles and requesting a replacement. This bold move aided law enforcement in identifying Phelps, although they initially failed to locate him.
Subsequently, Phelps reached out to the Lake City Police to file a complaint, asserting that he had been the victim of a vehicle collision. During his conversation with officers, Phelps maintained his account that he needed a ride due to a damaged bike tire, and that the driver had reluctantly complied.
Adding complexity to the situation, Phelps purportedly expressed a peculiar interest in forming a relationship with the technician as restitution, and when she didn’t engage, he began persistently contacting the pharmacy.
Phelps is now in custody at the Columbia County Detention Center with a bail set at $150,000 as authorities conduct further investigations into the incident.