SWAT Team Arrests Man After Stand Off

Manatee County's SWAT team was called out to the 900 block of 58th Avenue Drive East Thursday night after a man, wanted for armed robbery and the use of a firearm in a felony, refused to come out of the house when police came to arrest him.

The county's Tactical Gang Unit had arrest warrants for Raphael Bennett, 26, on charges of:  armed robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and three counts of violation of supervised release in reference to trafficking in illegal drugs and possession of  marijuana and paraphernalia.

When police arrived at the east Manatee County duplex, Bennett refused to come out and SWAT was called to the scene. While SWAT negotiated with Bennett to come outside, a report from the Manatee Sheriff's office indicates that Bennett went into the attic and kicked several holes in the ceiling

After several hours Bennett was arrested and placed into plastic "flex" hand-cuffs. Bennett broke the flex cuffs and punched a SWAT member in the face. He was cuffed again and taken to the Manatee County jail.

In addition to the charges from the arrest warrant, Bennett was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, attempted escape, burglary and felony criminal mischief.