Teenage carhop assaulted, man arrested

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Police have arrested a man accused of assaulting a teenage carhop at a Sonic Drive-In, causing the girl to have a concussion.

Justin Stewart Lease, 35, of Ocean Springs, faces a felony charge of strong-arm robbery and unrelated misdemeanors, said Detective Capt. William Jackson of the Ocean Springs Police Department.

The assault was reported about 9:36 p.m. Sunday at the Sonic on U.S. 90.

Investigators determined Lease, of Courtenay Circle, had walked up to a drive-up call box and placed an order. But once a carhop brought his order, Lease punched her in the head and tried to grab money out of her apron, Jackson said.

The teen tried to defend herself and kept Lease from taking her money, Jackson said.

Officers reported Lease left Sonic before they arrived, but investigators identified him from store surveillance video. He was arrested at his home.

The teenager's parents took her to a hospital. Jackson said she was diagnosed with a concussion but her injuries were not life-threatening. She was treated and released, he said.

Police also arrested Lease on charges of contempt of court for failure to pay fines and possession of paraphernalia. Those are misdemeanors.

Lease was held at the Ocean Springs jail pending a court appearance before Judge Matthew Mestayer.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Teenage carhop assaulted, man arrested ."