Teen Arrested In Bullying Attack On Sarasota Cop

SARASOTA, FL -- A teenager has been accused of taking part in a group attack on an off-duty Sarasota police officer who came to the aid of a homeless man as he was being bullied by five high-school aged boys.

The boy, whose name was being withheld by police because of his age, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.

A spokesperson for the Sarasota Police Department said the off-duty officer had been jogging at Payne Park when he saw the homeless man being harassed, pushed and hit by the teenagers.

"The off-duty Officer identified himself as a Sarasota Police Officer and told the teenagers to stop," the spokesperson explained. "At least five teenagers stopped harassing the individual and turned their aggression onto the off-duty officer, striking him several times and injuring him before leaving the area."

Arrest documents state that the homeless man was sitting at a table adjacent to the track and asked the boys several times to "just leave me alone" before one of the teens shoved him in the chest.

The officer, who was not identified, told the boys to "knock it off" and said "that's enough," according to arrest documents.

The documents said one of the boys hurled profanities at the officer while the 16-year-old boy who was arrested allegedly told him: "Yeah, shut your mouth you fat police officer cop."

The documents said all five boys circled around the officer and continued to verbally challenge him until one of the boys unleashed a physical attack, punching the officer in the back of the head.

As the officer turned to face his attacker, another boy also struck him from behind, the arrest documents said.

The documents added that the group took turns striking the officer from behind. The boy who was arrested allegedly punched the officer in the face.

The attack lasted one to two minutes, according to arrest documents.

"I know who every one of you are," the officer warned the boys as they took off, according to arrest documents.

The Sarasota police spokesperson said that the officer suffered minor injuries in the attack. He was punched in the face at least three times.

To report a tip, call Detective Dan Riley of the Sarasota Police Department at 941-954-7062. Alternatively, to leave an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS or visit www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department