A disagreement over the quantity of crickets in a bag escalated into a physical altercation at a PetSmart store in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The incident took place around 7 p.m. on May 20 at the store located at 8241 W. Flagler St., as per the arrest affidavit.
Jenevi Lia Hidalgo, 24, had requested to purchase crickets from the store. An employee complied, retrieving a bag of the insects from the back of the store. However, upon returning to the register, Hidalgo expressed dissatisfaction with the number of crickets in the bag, leading to a heated exchange between her and the employee.
Hidalgo allegedly challenged the employee to take the dispute outside. Instead, the employee chose to retreat to the employees-only “pump room” to recount the insects. According to the police, Hidalgo followed the employee into the room and intentionally pushed her from behind.
The employee informed Hidalgo that she was not allowed in the room, but this did not defuse the situation. Hidalgo is accused of physically assaulting the employee, including pulling her hair and throwing her to the ground. Another employee intervened, preventing Hidalgo from continuing the assault. The victim sustained facial scratches and a minor bruise on her forehead before Hidalgo left the store.
The Miami-Dade Police Department filed charges of burglary with assault against Hidalgo on Tuesday, according to court records. Hidalgo voluntarily turned herself in at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where she posted a $2,000 bond. She has pleaded not guilty and her next court appearance is scheduled for August 28.