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Highlands Today

Man Punches Police Officer In The Face, Cops Say

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BY BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: February 9, 2009

SEBRING - A local man remained in jail Thursday in lieu of a $12,750 bond after being arrested for allegedly striking a police officer and for drug charges.

Ralph Keith Chavis, 18, of 242 Park Crest Terrace, Sebring, was arrested Wednesday and charged with battery of an officer, obstructing an officer by depriving means of protection or communication, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, damaging property/criminal mischief and resisting an officer without violence.

Sebring Police Officer Bret Hinkle saw Chavis while patrolling the area around MLK Grocery, at 755 Lemon Ave., the report said.

The subject reportedly identified himself as "Keith." Hinkle then asked if he had anything illegal on him, and Chavis responded with a "nah."

Before the officer could ask to search Chavis, he reportedly punched Hinkle on the right side of his face.
Hinkle then grabbed him by the jacket, after which Chavis ripped Hinkle's police-issued radio from his shirt, the report stated. The suspect then got free of the officer's grasp and started to run.

The chase continued toward the front of the store, and Chavis allegedly knocked down several sets of shelves to try and block the officer's path.
Hinkle continued chasing Chavis on Lemon Avenue toward the intersection of MLK Boulevard. Once at MLK, the suspect turned into a yard and headed toward the back, according to the report.
Chavis came upon a fence and tried to climb it. Hinkle was then able to grab him, get him off the fence and into handcuffs.
Hinkle had minor swelling on his cheek and a small laceration inside his mouth, the report stated.

SPD Lt. Bruce Crum said Thursday afternoon that the officer was fine following Wednesday's incident.

Once the chase had ended, additional officers assisted. The suspect was turned over to the other authorities, who searched him.

They allegedly found a napkin containing a small amount of marijuana, a silver dish containing 14 Xanax pills, two cigars, two lighters and a cigarette. The pills were reportedly broken in different-sized pieces that are commonly used for sale and distribution.

The owner of MLK Grocery estimated the damage to the shelves and food inside the store as under $200.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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