An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy was attacked by a burglary suspect who tried to take his duty pistol Thursday May 1, the sheriff’s office reports in a press release. The deputy was able to overcome his attacker and take the suspect into custody with the aid of a civilian good Samaritan and another deputy.
The incident began with the investigation of an armed burglary. The responding deputy found a man on a minibike who “matched the suspect’s description,” the sheriff’s office says.
After a traffic stop, the individual reportedly gave the deputy a fake name. During the stop, the deputy saw the individual reach into “his front pants pocket and try to draw a .380 pistol,” the release says.
Seeing the gun, the deputy grabbed the man’s arm and the suspect broke free and ran, the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy reportedly chased down the suspect and got him to the ground. “The man struck him repeatedly and tried multiple times to remove the deputy’s gun from its holster,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Thankfully the deputy was able to use techniques learned in training to work to subdue the suspect. He was then assisted by a Good Samaritan who rushed to the scene to help, along with another deputy who arrived,” the sheriff’s office said.
Blake Spieth, 19, of Crestview, Florida, was taken into custody.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said it “recovered multiple stolen items, ranging from tools to a Turtle Box speaker. A mask and head covering matching video surveillance from the recent burglary were also found.”
Spieth is charged with aggravated assault toward a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer with violence, larceny, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, possession of fentanyl, armed trespassing, and possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia. .
“This is a prime example of how quickly things can go south for law enforcement officers working to protect our citizens and their property. We’re incredibly grateful our brave deputy was able to use his training to escape harm in this incident and we want to acknowledge the courage of the Good Samaritan who rushed to his aid during the struggle over a weapon,” said Sheriff Eric Aden.
