Man Punches Officer In The Face, Engages In Struggle Over Taser In Hamptons: Police

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Two officers were injured after a man punched one in the face and engaged in a struggle over a taser in Hampton Bays, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, the incident took place on Sunday at about 1:35 a.m. A Southampton Town police patrol officer responded to a dispute at a residence in Hampton Bays; as the officer was arriving at the house, the second person was driving away in a vehicle, police said.

The responding officer recognized the individual and, while completing his investigation of that incident, the officer learned the man had multiple outstanding warrants from Southampton Town police, New York State Police, East Hampton Village Police and out of Westchester County, authorities said.

He was also driving the vehicle with a suspended license, police said.

The officer canvassed the area, searching for the man, and found him stopped behind the Hampton Bays Public Library on Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays, police said. The officer stopped and approached the vehicle; the driver was the sole occupant, police said.

The driver, identified as Terrell Harris, 38, of Hampton Bays, fled the parking lot in his vehicle; the officer followed Harris and observed him operating erratically, police said.

He attempted to stop him, but Harris failed to comply with the stop, police said. A second officer responded to assist; Harris eventually stopped in front of a Hampton Bays residence and officers came into contact with him, police said.

Harris then exited his vehicle and punched one of the officers in the face, police said. A struggle between the officers and Harris ensued an,d during the fight, an officer’s taser holster broke, with the taser falling to the ground, police said. Harris was able to grab the taser and the second officer was able to prevent Harris from using the taser against them, police said.

Additional officers arrived at scene and Harris was taken into custody, police said.

The two officers were transported to an area hospital for injuries sustained in the fight, police said. They were subsequently treated and released; Harris was transported to a second area hospital for treatment due to injuries to his hand from striking the officer in the face, police said.

Southampton Town police detectives responded to assist with the investigation; Harris was subsequently transported to Southampton Town police headquarters and arrested, police said.

Harris was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; second-degree circumventing an interlock device; resisting arrest; fourth-degree criminal mischief; and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all misdemeanors, police said. He was also charged with second-degree assault, intent to cause injury to an officer, DWI, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies, police said.

He is additionally facing charges from the outstanding warrants from Southampton Town police, the East Hampton Village Police Department, Westchester County ,and New York State Police, authorities said.

He was held at Southampton Town Police headquarters for arraignment.