Several sheriff’s deputies and a K9 suffered from injuries while trying to arrest a suspect when he allegedly discharged bear repellent spray in a purported attempt to escape.
On November 24, a man with an active arrest warrant was walking down a street in Vero Beach when he was spotted by a deputy from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy attempted to stop him, but he reportedly refused and began running. Additional sheriff’s deputies and a K9 went to the location to assist, but the suspect allegedly continued trying to get away from them.
After reportedly trying multiple times to get the man to stop and lie on the ground, the deputies decided to send the K9 to assist them. The suspect allegedly pointed and sprayed bear repellent at the dog, and according to the police report, the mist caused the K9 and eight officers “chemical irritation to their eyes, skin, and throat” that required treatment at the scene.
After law enforcement deployed a taser-like device at him, the man was taken into custody and transported to the Indian River Hospital at the Cleveland Clinic for medical treatment. After he was released from the medical center, he was booked into the Indian River County Jail. He is currently facing preliminary charges of nine counts of battery on an officer, firefighter, or EMT, one count of resisting an officer without violence, and one felony count of domestic violence – assault. According to records, at the time this was written, he was being held in lieu of a $57,500.00 bond.
The affidavit noted that the authorities learned the man had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe anxiety disorder, and depression, and it was recorded that he had not been taking his prescribed medication.
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.