A man in Southeastern Florida is facing charges after allegedly approaching police officers with a flamethrower and trying to hide in his residence to avoid arrest.
On the evening of October 14, a Port St. Lucie neighborhood experienced an unusual disturbance. A loud bang was heard, followed by a plume of black smoke pouring out of the yard at one of the residents’ homes.
The authorities were notified, and officers from the Port St. Lucie Police Department headed to the address to see what was going on. When they got there they reportedly heard a man yelling from the yard. When the 39-year-old saw the officers, he began to walk over to where they were standing in the street. According to reports, the man was carrying a flamethrower, and the police believed he intentionally pointed it at one of the officers at the scene. They drew their guns and told him to put them down, but the man did not stop walking in their direction until one of the officers was able to snatch the device out of his hands. He reportedly turned around and ran inside the house.
When the man came back outside, he was holding a flashlight. The police believed he was trying to shine it in the eyes of one of the officers, and they Tased him.
The suspect was taken into custody and he was given a physical examination. After determining that he did not need medical attention, he was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail. He is facing preliminary charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence. According to facility records, he was released after posting a $5,500 bond later that evening.
It was reported that no one was harmed during the incident.
If you or someone you love is suspected of an assault or battery offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.