Violent Suspect Grabs Clearwater Cop’s Gun
The peaceful, waterfront community of Island Estates in Clearwater was shocked this past weekend, after what was reported as a “suspicious person”, was confronted by police.
Clearwater Police say residents made calls to police about a “suspicious person” walking behind some condos on the island, “messing with private property”.
Upon arrival, officers encounter a man now identified as 25 year old Robert Joseph Phillips. When the initial officer approached him, Phillips resisted and the two ended up in a scuffle on the ground. Phillips hit the officer in the face multiple times and tried to un-holster the officer’s gun.
After repeatedly hitting the officer in the face, Phillips managed to get away and flee, but he was caught by other officers and arrested. Police also report that after the suspect was taken into custody, he then caused hundreds of dollars in damage to a Clearwater Police station interview room.
Phillips is now facing two counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving an officer means of protection/communication, resisting arrest without violence, possession of paraphernalia and possession of cocaine.
The officer involved in the scuffle was taken to Morton Plant Hospital where he was treated and released.
Source: ABC Action News
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