Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Christine Annmarie Babione, 23, and Cindy Rachell Discua, 23, of Newberry, were arrested early this morning after allegedly attacking two people in a vehicle outside their home.

The responding Gainesville Police Department officer reported that at about 2:43 a.m. on March 26, the women approached the female victim as she was entering her vehicle in the 3900 block of NE 1st Terrace and attacked her. Babione allegedly slapped the female victim in the neck and then multiple strikes were exchanged between all three women.

The female victim walked away from the vehicle and back into her residence; meanwhile, Babione and Discua allegedly entered her vehicle and sat inside it. The female victim came back outside and told them to leave, but Babione and Discua allegedly refused to leave and attacked the female victim again, starting inside the vehicle and then continuing outside the vehicle.

The three women reportedly exchanged blows until the male victim, who is 74 years old, got out of the vehicle in an attempt to separate them. The male victim said he put Discua in a headlock and she bit him in the chest. While the male victim was restraining Discua, Babione allegedly punched him in the face.

At this point, the female victim reportedly grabbed a cooking pan and hit Babione and Discua until they backed off.

The officer noted that the male victim had a bite mark on his chest.

Post Miranda, Babione reportedly said that while she and Discua were downtown, they were invited to the residence by the victims and had traveled there in their vehicle. She said that after they arrived, the victims attacked Discua, so she tried to separate them.

Post Miranda, Discua reportedly said she and Babione had been drinking in downtown Gainesville when Babione suggested going to her friend’s house to hang out. She said that when they arrived at the victims’ residence, they were immediately met with a physical fight. She reportedly denied being involved in the fight at first but later acknowledged that she and Babione had both participated in the physical fight. Discua denied being the aggressor in the incident.

Discua reportedly said she knew the victims but was unable to provide the name or address of anyone involved in the incident. She reportedly acknowledged getting into the female victim’s vehicle and said the female victim was going to give her a ride.

The officer reported that both Babione and Discua appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and contradicted their own statements.

The victims reportedly said they had never met Babione and Discua, but both Babione and Discua insisted that they had met them downtown. The victims said they had been inside their residence before the incident.

A search of Discua incident to arrest reportedly produced about 5.1 grams of marijuana in her purse, which was found in the female victim’s vehicle.

Babione has been charged with burglary with battery and battery on a person over 65 years of age. She has no criminal convictions. Although the State Attorney’s office filed notice of their intent to ask for a hearing on a motion to hold Babione without bail until trial, Judge Mark Moseley ordered her released on her own recognizance.

Discua has been charged with burglary with battery, battery on a person over 65 years of age, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. She has no criminal convictions. Although the State Attorney’s office filed notice of their intent to ask for a hearing on a motion to hold Discua without bail until trial, Judge Moseley ordered her released on her own recognizance.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.