A Florida man was caught on camera pinning down an 11-year-old girl he mistakenly believed had egged his home. Authorities say Marius Mutu, 43, chased and restrained the child Saturday afternoon in a disturbing incident that drew swift community outrage.

The girl, crying and begging for help, repeatedly denied any involvement: “I wasn’t doing anything, I swear to god! Help me! Help me!” Neighbors intervened as the confrontation unfolded, with one woman filming and another man physically confronting Mutu, demanding he let the girl go.

Marius Mutu attacked the girl due to him suspecting her of egging his home.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Mutu had been frustrated after his home was allegedly egged multiple times and wrongly assumed the girl walking nearby was responsible. Deputies said he told them he intended only to take a photo of her to show management. Instead, he was arrested for battery and false imprisonment and later released.

Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the act as “reprehensible,” stressing that children’s safety is “non-negotiable” and vowing full accountability for such behavior.

Mutu, employed as a parking enforcement specialist for the city of Tampa, began his $42,078.40-a-year role just last week. The city has since suspended him pending further review. As of Tuesday, it was unclear whether he had legal representation.