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Cops: Woman punched for parking in N. Fulton Publix handicapped spot

Police car with lights on (stock photo).

Credit: Westend61

Credit: Westend61

Police car with lights on (stock photo).
By Mitchell Northam
July 7, 2017

Sandy Springs police arrested a man after he assaulted a woman in a Publix parking lot because she parked in a handicapped-accessible parking spot.

Joel Joa Sierra, of Norcross, was charged with disorderly conduct and taken to the Alpharetta jail on June 25 after witnesses told police that he struck a Sandy Springs woman in the face three times with a closed fist.

According to the police report, officers responded to 8725 Roswell Road around 12:40 p.m. that day and spoke with the woman who said she was assaulted.

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The woman told police that Sierra and his family became angry with her for parking in the handicapped-accessible parking spot “without authorization.”

Police did not say if the woman had a handicapped-accessible parking pass.

The woman told police that Sierra started yelling at her and taking photos of her and her car. The woman told police that Sierra then assaulted her.

After speaking with three witnesses, police arrested Sierra.

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