​Clearwater Police Arrest Man Accused Of Assaulting Officer

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Police officers arrested a 25-year-old man Saturday on multiple charges after they said he attacked a police officer while being taken into custody.

Robert Joseph Phillips, 25, was arrested late Saturday afternoon on Island Estates after what began as a suspicious person call. Residents said Phillips was walking along a sea wall behind some condominiums and tampering with private property.

When he was approached by an officer, Phillips resisted arrest and reached for the officer's gun as the two tumbled to the ground, according to police. Phillips punched the officer in the face multiple times as the officer kept hold of his weapon.

Phillips then fled but was caught in the area by other officers.

The officer was taken to Morton Plant Hospital where he was treated and later released.

After Phillips was taken to the police station, he caused hundreds of dollars of damage to an interview room.

He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on two counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving an officer means of protection/communication, resisting arrest without violence, possession of paraphernalia and possession of cocaine.