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Highlands Today

APPD Officer Tussles With Suspect

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: September 11, 2008

AVON PARK - An Avon Park man was free Wednesday on $3,250 bail after police say the man - who was stopped for questioning - resisted, then violently fought with a police officer when the officer's Taser malfunctioned Saturday night.

The incident reportedly was captured on the officer's in-car video camera, which had several media outlets clamoring for copies, according to Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan. He told them the video was not available.

Rowan said Wednesday he had not viewed the tape yet, and since it was evidence in an ongoing case, it could not be released at this time.

"It's got to go through a discovery period," said Rowan. "You're working on a case and the defendant has his rights as well. The defense attorney has a right to review this evidence, and it is kept away from the general public as he's being judged by his peers. You don't want to taint the case."

Rey Francisco Quinones, 44, of 1680 N. Delaware Ave., Apt. 224, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving a law enforcement officer of a means of protection, resisting a law enforcement officer with violence and loitering or prowling of a closed business.

About 9:49 p.m. Saturday, officer Adam Willis had just finished working a traffic stop near the Avon Park Chiropractic Center, located at 1590 U.S. 27 N., and reported that he saw a man, later identified as Quinones, come out from behind the closed business.

He caught up with where Quinones was walking. Quinones began walking in the opposite direction. Willis got out and ordered the man to stop, his report stated.

The suspect stopped and told Willis he was looking for a kid who was running through the area. When Willis wanted to get a reason for why he was behind the closed business, Quinones reportedly became very aggressive.

Willis reported it was then that he took out his Taser and told him not to resist. Willis radioed for help. Back at the officer's vehicle, Willis told Quinones to put his hands on the fender and stay there while he conducted a search.
Quinones reportedly pushed the officer away, who tried to taser the man. The taser malfunctioned, and Willis tried to grab Quinones to stop him. A fight started, the report stated.

"As the subject and I were fighting I attempted to place him on the ground in an effort to better control his movements," Willis wrote. "While the defendant and I were going to the ground, the defendant gained control of the malfunctioning (Electronic Control Device)."
Quinones reportedly grabbed the Taser and threw it into a wooded area 30 feet away.

"The defendant placed his right hand on my neck and attempted to choke me," the report stated. "I broke the defendant's hold on my neck and used a body lock to gain control of the defendant's movements."

During the struggle Quinones punched Willis above his left eye, causing a small scratch.

"The defendant and I continued to wrestle on the ground," Willis wrote. "The defendant then placed his hand on my service weapon. I immediately began striking the defendant with a closed fist to his face and stomach area. I continued to tell the defendant to stop resisting."

Willis reported that officer Alberto Perez arrived as backup and helped get Quinones secured in handcuffs.
Quinones was medically cleared by the Highlands County Emergency Medical Services personnel and transported to the Highlands County Jail, the report stated.

Willis was not injured, according to Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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