University of Florida physical therapy professor destroys 81-year-old man’s car with stolen steak knife

Gianna Musolino, a professor at the University of Florida’s School of Physical Therapy, was arrested by police on Monday after damaging an 81-year-old man’s vehicle in a Texas Roadhouse parking lot on June 2.

According to an arrest report, Musolino allegedly was retrieving a cooler from a Honda CRV in the parking lot of a Texas Roadhouse when a car door hit his vehicle. He told police that out of “frustration,” he went into the restaurant, stole a cutlery set valued at $5 and used a steak knife to vandalize the man’s vehicle.

According to the arrest report, the man’s vehicle sustained damage to all four doors and the passenger side rear panel, with damages totaling more than $3,000.

After admitting to wrecking the car, Musolino was booked into the Alachua County Jail on June 10 and charged with felony criminal damage to property and misdemeanor theft.

According to the arrest report, Texas Roadhouse told Musolino they intended to file charges over the stolen cutlery, but Musolino claimed the restaurant provided the cutlery free of charge and denied stealing it.

Kayla Hotaling and her husband were waiting for their family in the parking lot when they noticed Musolino pacing back and forth between the restaurant and their car with a knife.

“We heard her drag the knife to the side of the car,” Hotaling said, “and then we looked around and saw her leave. We saw her stop the car and drive off.”

University of Florida spokeswoman Cynthia Roldan said the university does not comment on the personal matters of its employees. Musolino and the man declined to comment.

Musolino, who currently teaches summer courses at the University of Florida’s School of Physical Therapy, has no criminal history.

Musolino was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday, the length of which is pending review.

Lee Ann Anderson can be reached at landerson@alligator.org. X Follow her at @LeeAnnJOU.