Video shows deputies arresting Florida woman who wanted to give flower ‘lady’ $20

Viral video raises awareness about plight of street vendor and customer in Lee County

A witness reported on TikTok that deputies arrested Annika Olsen for wanting to give a flower street vendor $20 on Wednesday in Lee County. (TikTok and Lee County Sheriff's Office)

MIAMI – Deputies arrested a 24-year-old woman in southwest Florida who said all she wanted to do was give a street flower vendor $20 and a video showing her distress has gone viral.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Annika Olsen for obstructing traffic and resisting an officer without violence and Norma Garcia for violating a county ordinance on Wednesday in Bonita Springs, WINK News reported.

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A witness shared two brief videos of the arrest on TikTok, as Olsen pleaded with the deputies through tears, “I just want to give this lady $20!”

By Monday night, the videos had over 7.8 million views.

Florida law requires street vendors to have a permit from the city or county, and they must also register with the state’s Department of Revenue to report sales tax.

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@arelyyy38

Update! I did find her and she is ok. I did send her this video.

♬ original sound - arelyyy38

About the Author
Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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