Sept. 12--A man who police say got into a confrontation with Austin police Chief Art Acevedo at a downtown restaurant last week has been charged with misdemeanor assault, according to an arrest affidavit.
Police say Michael Fitzsimmons, 57, pushed the chief with an open hand about 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at Eddie V's restaurant at 301 E. Fifth St., the affidavit said.
Acevedo, who was in plain clothes, was asked by a witness who recognized him to help remove Fitzsimmons, who was asleep on the restaurant's property and refusing to leave, the affidavit said.
"Chief stated that Fitzsimmons came to his feet and open-handed pushed Chief Acevedo in the chest," according to the affidavit. "Chief Acevedo stated that he took Fitzsimmons to the ground physically detaining him until officers arrived."
Fitzsimmons was shown booked in the Travis County Jail on Thursday. He has also been charged with marijuana possession and is being held on $1,500 bail, records show.
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