Police make arrests in transient crimes

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Pensacola Police said two violent crimes happened in downtown Pensacola Thursday night.

It all began when authorities said a sexual assault happened on Palafox Street around 8 p. m.

"During the sexual battery case, a female transient reported that another homeless person had committed a sexual battery on her," said Sgt. Jim Andrews with the Pensacola Police Department.

The suspect in the crime is David Miller, 49.

Authorities said Miller invited the woman to a good place to stay, where he sexually assaulted her.

Police say while officers were investigating the crime, this Subway restaurant on Palafox was robbed.

"A white male transient came into the business, produced a knife and threatened one of the employees. He obtained some cash and then fled," Andrews said.

Donald Brown, 23, was arrested for that crime.

Andrews said they haven't noticed an increase in transient crime.

"It's an isolated incident. Sometimes they report crimes to us and sometimes they don't. Sometimes they don't want us involved in their activities," Andrews said.

Troy Giampa has experienced crime for the last two years on the streets.

He was recently attacked while in his camp.

His attackers broke his right arm, left wrist and broke some of his teeth.

They made away with $4.

"There's a lot more crime that goes on here that's unreported. A lot of times it's homeless on homeless. It's a rough world out here," Giampa said.

But he says he's using places like the Waterfront Rescue Mission to get back on his feet.

"People think violence is the only way to solve something, but it isn't," said Giampa.

Miller was charged with sexual battery.

Brown faces an armed robbery charge.