West Palm Beach police recently arrested a local man who allegedly committed a violent assault of a gas station worker and then later assaulted a police officer.
According to authorities, the 36-year-old suspect entered a BP gas station in West Palm Beach around 6:00 a.m. and attempted to purchase beer. At some point, the suspect allegedly became agitated and began to argue with the 67-year-old clerk about the price of the beer. The argument escalated to physical violence when the suspect allegedly threw an object at the clerk. The object reportedly struck the victim in the face and resulted in a bruise.
Witnesses later told police that the suspect put his hands near a waistband and repeatedly threatened to murder the clerk.
Afterwards, the suspect exited the gas station and walked down Georgia Avenue. West Palm Beach FL police later apprehended him while he was walking.
While police were attempting to arrest the suspect, he allegedly resisted arrest. According to law enforcement, the suspect was “verbally aggressive” and cursed at one of the officers. The suspect then allegedly threatened the cop.
Another police officer attempted to use a taser on the suspect, but his baggy clothes made the taser ineffective.
Police eventually managed to take the suspect to the ground and subdue him.
The suspect has been charged with several crimes, including aggravated assault, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
After being arrested and charged, the suspect was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail. He was being held at the correctional facility in lieu of $15,000 bail.
For more information about this case, read the PalmBeachPost.com article entitled “Police: West Palm Man Attacks Employee at BP Gas Station, Resists Arrest.”