Man arrested for bench sitting after dark

ORLANDO, Fla., March 19 (UPI) -- An Orlando, Fla., man says he spent nine days incarcerated after he was arrested for sitting on a park bench after dark.

William Alfred, 65, who lives one block away from the park, was arrested by police who said they were enforcing a zero tolerance policy for rules designed to keep the homeless from sleeping at Z.L. Riley Park, WFTV, Orlando, reported Wednesday.

The jail said Alfred was eligible for pre-trial release shortly after his arrest, but he refused. The suspect said he does not remember being offered release until days later.

Alfred is due back in court in April. He said he hopes the judge dismisses the case.

"I hope they forget about it. I'm caught up in this whole mess no more," he said.