NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 30, 2009
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420
CRESTVIEW MAN RAMS DEPUTYS PATROL CAR
A Crestview man is charged
with aggravated battery on a police officer, a first degree felony, after
intentionally ramming a deputy's patrol car Wednesday.
A deputy was called to the
home of 24-year old Joseph John Powell, 4714 Connor Drive in Crestview, around
ten o'clock Wednesday evening, for a disturbance in progress call.
As the officer arrived he
spotted Powell leaving his home in a Dodge Dakota pickup truck. As the deputy
turned around, Powell suddenly threw his vehicle in reverse and accelerated
rapidly, deliberately striking the driver's side front and rear door of the
patrol car. Powell accelerated away and then stopped suddenly. The deputy got
out of his car with his weapon drawn and approached Powell's truck. Powell then
jumped out of his vehicle and laid on the ground. He was held at gunpoint until
backup units arrived to handcuff him.
The deputy's Ford Explorer
vehicle suffered extensive damage.
Powell was transported to
the Okaloosa County jail in Crestview on a charge of battery on a law
enforcement officer.
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