CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — Police arrested Michael Freeman on Memorial Day for stalking.
Staff at Clearwater Beach Hotel found an AR-15, a handgun and ammunition on top of Freeman's bed after guests made a noise complaint against the Pinellas Park man.
Hotel clerk Elizabeth Pena tells ABC Action News, she evicted the 57-year-old Freeman because firearms are not permitted on the property.
"I was nervous because I said, 'this guy can be capable of anything having a gun like that with him,'" said Pena.
According to a Clearwater Police report, Freeman came back to the Gulfview Boulevard hotel armed with the handgun.
Police say he waited, watching the property for two hours in an effort to confront the victim, who had alerted hotel staff about his behavior.
Pena said she witnessed a tense altercation between Freeman and other guests in front of the hotel.
"They walked away but then he turned around and just watched them," said Pena.
Clearwater Police arrested Freeman for stalking the vacationing couple.
Clearwater Beach Hotel owner Ben Mallah is praising his staff and hotel guests for their quick actions during a busy, family-friendly holiday weekend.
"If something doesn't look right, you got to do something about it," said Mallah. "Because if you don't take action, we've all seen what can happen."
According to court documents, Freeman must now wear an ankle monitor, surrender his guns and is not allowed on hotel property.
ABC Action News reached out to Freeman for comment Tuesday night.
Freeman denies he acted violently and expects his stalking charge to be dropped.
