Crime & Safety
Video: Man Jailed After ‘Violent Attack’ On Cop
A Bradenton Police lieutenant suffered facial and eye injuries during a Sunday arrest.
BRADENTON, FL — What appeared to be a routine burglary arrest took a violent turn Sunday early morning, sending a Bradenton police officer to the hospital and a 23-year-old man to jail.
According to the Bradenton Police Department, officers received a burglary call just before 4 a.m. April 2 in the 2400 block of 9th Street West. They were told by the alarm company the address was a home and its owner wanted to speak with police, a Tuesday email from the police department said.
Lt. William Weldon, a 15-year veteran of the agency, responded to the call and quickly learned the alarm had come from a closed jewelry store. Weldon noted the store’s front glass door was shattered and there was a masked person inside, the email said.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get the Bradenton Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.
“Lt. Weldon confronted the individual at gunpoint,” the police department wrote. The masked man, police said, initially complied with Weldon’s requests. Weldon holstered his gun to take the man into custody.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That, according to police, is when the situation turned violent.
“As he (Weldon) attempted to take control, the suspect began to violently resist," the email said. “During the struggle, the suspect used his hands to gouge at Lt. Weldon’s eyes and made several attempts to grab his firearm.”
The struggle, captured on video, last for more than 90 seconds. Weldon was able to break free, draw his weapon and order the man to the ground.
“The suspect refused to comply and continued towards Lt. Weldon,” the email said. “Lt. Weldon subsequently hit the suspect with his weapon, rendering him incapacitated.”
Isaac Hernandez Dubon of Bradenton was arrested in the case. He was being held on $12,000 bond in the Manatee County Jail on Tuesday.
As for Weldon, he was treated at a local hospital and now is home recuperating after being “violently attacked,” Lt. Brian Thiers reported Tuesday.
Keep up with what’s happening by following Bradenton Patch on Facebook.
Photo and video courtesy of the Bradenton Police Department
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
