Man Accused Of Battery Against Woman, Police Officer

A local man was free Monday on a $4,000 bond following his Saturday arrest on allegations of battery against a female victim and a police officer.

Ulysses Taylor, 36, of Sebring, is charged with battery, resisting an officer with violence and battery of an officer.

Law enforcement responded to a Grand Avenue residence after getting reports of a fight in progress. The victim said Taylor came into her yard to speak with her mother about something she said about the suspect.

Police said Taylor started yelling at the victim's mother, at which time the victim asked him to stop. The suspect allegedly threw beer on the victim and hit her with the beer can he was holding.

He then grabbed her by her arms and pulled her across the street, all the while hitting her several times. Eventually, he hit her in the head with a grapefruit, according to the arrest report.

Officers reportedly could smell an alcoholic beverage coming from the victim's person as they spoke with her, as well as found white pulp in her hair. They also said they saw several red marks and injuries on the side of her face, back and arms.

When law enforcement spoke with the suspect about the incident, he allegedly did not deny hitting the victim and said, "They keep talking (expletive) about him." Taylor also said the victim never hit him, according to police.

As officers tried to arrest Taylor, he reportedly tried to run into a Grand Avenue home. One officer grabbed his left arm and told him to stop, but he refused. The suspect then allegedly started to fight the officer and pulled him into the residence. During the altercation, both Taylor and the officer fell into a living room wall and to the floor, the report stated.

Another officer told Taylor he would Taser him if he did not comply. The suspect reportedly refused to cooperate and a Taser was used in the stomach area. He then complied with being handcuffed and was arrested.

SPD Officer Mike Cutolo made the arrest and was assisted by Sgt. Greg Barlaug.