Locksmith call leads to naked push-ups, gunfire, arrests

Larry Newman went to an Atlanta home to help a woman who was locked out of her house and ended up doing naked push-ups in the street, he told police.

“I just didn’t know what to think,” Newman said. “I was butt naked — except for my socks.”

Newman and another man involved in the lock-picking incident that turned into a shootout, 32-year-old Michael Little, were arrested on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Little declined to comment Thursday afternoon.

They told Atlanta police conflicting stories after clashing Oct. 20 in the 1800 block of Madrona Street in northwest Atlanta.

Newman, a self-employed locksmith, said he got a call from another locksmith company, asking if he could take the job on Madrona.

When he arrived, the woman told Newman that “her keys were in the house, and someone was there earlier and locked her out,” he told police, according to the report.

The woman is identified in the report as Kim Neal and Kim Ford, but her relationship to Little is not explained.

While Newman picked the locks, Little retrieved his weapon inside when he heard a dog barking, Little told police.

Little told police that Newman entered the house, the report said. Newman said he didn’t.

He claims that Little stormed outside after he unlocked the side door and was walking to his truck to get some paperwork.

“I turned around and saw a big gun,” Newman said. “Then me made me take off every stitch of clothing.”

Newman reported that Little ordered him into the street to do five pushups, which he did.

“Humiliated,” Newman said, when asked how he felt. “At that point, I’m doing whatever I have to do to save my life.”

Gunfire erupted between them as Newman drove off. Both men say the other fired first, and neither were injured.

“I’ve got about seven holes in the side of my truck,” Newman said.