Panhandler accused of hitting people in Provo

PROVO — A 55-year-old alleged panhandler is in jail after Provo police say he hit people who offered him food instead of money.

Authorities say Gary Stubbs approached a group of people outside a cafe Thursday and asked them for money. Police say Stubbs became upset when they offered him food instead, and hit a person twice in the shoulder.

Provo police say he had earlier gone inside a restaurant to use the bathroom and began yelling. Authorities say he began slapping the manager when she asked him to leave.

Other callers reported Stubbs was standing in traffic and banging on car windows.

Stubbs remains in the Utah County Jail on suspicion of assault, aggressive solicitation, disorderly conduct and public intoxication. It’s not clear whether he has a lawyer.