A 20-year-old woman named Natalya Soto-Kraujalis was apprehended in Fort Myers after being spotted wearing a ski mask that concealed her entire face, leaving only her eyes visible.
The arrest was made by the Fort Myers Police Department on a Wednesday, citing her suspicious attire as the reason.
When Soto-Kraujalis was apprehended, she was seen sporting a ski mask and a T-shirt. This prompted the police to conclude that the mask wasn’t for keeping warm.
As Soto-Kraujalis strolled towards Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, they found themselves in an area bustling with open businesses.
According to reports, she became aggressive when the police approached her to ask about her attire. As per the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD), her reply was confrontational, with her saying, “Don’t worry about it.” It seems you are unaware of my identity. May I please have your badge number?”
Soto-Kraujalis was later apprehended for battery.
The arrest has drawn attention to Florida State Statute 876.13, which specifically prohibits the wearing of masks, hoods, or any other device that conceals the wearer’s identity while on public property.
According to the law, it is clearly stated that individuals are prohibited from entering or appearing in any public property of a municipality or county in the state while wearing a mask, hood, or any face-covering device.
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