Florida bell ringer allegedly tries to 'impale' store manager with donation tripod while drunk

Florida

Florida bell ringer allegedly tries to 'impale' store manager with donation tripod while drunk

Steven Pavlik was allegedly intoxicated outside a Publix store when the manager confronted him about harassing customers

Brie Stimson Fox News

Published

December 27, 2025 5:03pm EST

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A Florida man working as a Salvation Army bell ringer for the holidays was arrested Christmas week, after he allegedly attempted to "impale" the manager of a grocery store with his donation kettle tripod, according to officials.

Steven Pavlik, 63, was arrested at his home this week and charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after he fled the scene after allegedly drunkenly attacking the manager of a Publix in Stuart, Florida.

Pavlik had been stationed as a bell ringer outside the store.

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Steven Pavlik mugshot and Salvation Army bucket split

Steven Pavlik, a Salvation Army bell-ringer, allegedly was intoxicated and attempted to stab a Publix manager. (AP Photo, File/Martin County Sheriff's Office)

"63-year-old Steven Pavlik tried his hand at some part-time Christmas charity work — however, drunk ringing, belligerent tidings and assault took him from bell duty to booking blotter after a full-blown charity tirade," the Martin County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Christmas Eve Facebook post.

The store manager confronted Pavlik after he allegedly got drunk on duty and began "aggressively" harassing passersby, causing a "major disturbance" outside the store, according to the sheriff's office.

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The suspect allegedly attacked the store manager with his donation kettle tripod. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

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Pavlik then allegedly attacked the store manager with his donation kettle tripod.

"When the Publix manager came outside to speak to Pavlik, he became violent and attempted to impale the manager with the donation kettle tripod," the sheriff's office wrote.

The holiday season is underway with the appearance of the Salvation Army donation kettles.

Pavlik was confronted after he allegedly got drunk on duty and began "aggressively" harassing passersby. (AP Photo, File/Torin Halsey)

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The manager wasn’t injured during the attack, the sheriff’s office said.

Pavlik fled the scene, but deputies later located him at his residence, where he was taken into custody.

Publix and the Salvation Army did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Florida bell ringer allegedly tries to 'impale' store manager with donation tripod while drunk