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.