A late-night Uber pickup near Orlando’s tourist strip turned into a scare early Wednesday when deputies say a man sprinted toward a driver with a knife behind Hogan’s Beach Shop on International Drive. Orange County deputies identified the suspect as Anner Orlando Alvardo Rickett, who was arrested and booked on charges that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. The Uber driver, Rafael Antonio Duverge, told deputies he was waiting on a fare when he spotted the man, drove off, and called 911. Deputies say a show-up identification at the scene led to Rickett’s detention.
How deputies say it unfolded
Deputies responded around 12:09 a.m. to an assault-in-progress call in the 7600 block of International Drive. Investigators say Duverge had been parked on the south side of Hogan’s Beach Shop, waiting on an Uber order, when he made a U-turn and noticed a man behind the building. As Duverge pulled away, he told investigators the man stood up holding a knife, then ran toward his vehicle while pointing the blade at him. Duverge left the immediate area and dialed 911. According to WFTV, deputies later found the suspect at the rear of the shop and detained him after Duverge identified him in a show-up.
Where it happened
The confrontation took place behind Hogan’s Beach Shop at 7679 International Drive, a tourist-focused retail spot in the middle of the I-Drive corridor. The store’s listing on the International Drive district website confirms the address and the heavy foot-traffic character of the area, as shown on InternationalDriveOrlando.com. That puts the incident squarely in one of Orlando’s busiest tourism zones, where late-night crowds and ride-hail drivers are a routine part of the landscape.
Charges and custody
Rickett faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct and was taken to the Orange County Jail, deputies told WFTV. Duverge identified Rickett in a show-up and told deputies he did not wish to press charges, but investigators say they still had probable cause to make the arrest. After deputies read him his Miranda rights, they say Rickett declined to provide a statement and was booked into custody.
What the law says
Under Florida law, aggravated assault “with a deadly weapon” is defined in Florida Statute §784.021 and is typically prosecuted as an aggravated assault offense. It is commonly handled as a third-degree felony, which can carry potential prison time and fines depending on the circumstances of the case. The ultimate decision on formal charges and any sentence will rest with the State Attorney’s Office and the court if the case moves forward. For the statutory language, see Florida Statutes §784.021.
Local context
The International Drive tourism corridor has seen its share of tense encounters and road-rage run-ins in recent years, a trend that has drawn attention from local media. ClickOrlando reported on a high-profile road-rage incident along I-Drive last year, highlighting the challenges deputies face in a busy visitor district where tempers can flare as quickly as the traffic backs up. Officials continue to urge anyone who witnesses threats or violent behavior to call 911 so deputies can respond quickly.
