CLEARWATER, Fla. — A man in Florida is facing multiple charges after he attacked a police officer on Saturday, according to the Clearwater Police Department.
Officers say Robert Joseph Phillips, 25, punched an officer in the face multiple times after he tried to reach for the officer's gun during his arrest.
Phillips was reported as a suspicious person Saturday afternoon on Island Estates. He was walking behind some condos and messing with private property, police say.
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When the officer approached him, the department says Phillips resisted and the two tumbled to the ground. After he hit the officer in the face, Phillips ran away but was caught by other officers.
The officer was treated at Morton Plant Hospital and released.
Police say after his arrest, Phillips caused hundreds of dollars of damage to an interview room.
He is 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.
