Posted 10:03 am Thursday, August 09, 2012
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Traffic stop leads to fight, arrest; officer injured
A Palestine officer is recovering from injuries after officials said a person claiming to be a federal agent hit him in the eye with a set of car keys Tuesday during a traffic stop.
Sgt. James Muniz said officer Jason Lewis responded to a call of a reckless driver initially called into the Anderson County Sheriff's Office.
Muniz said, when the call came in, the blue Chevrolet Tahoe was several miles south of Palestine, but before Anderson County Sheriff's deputies could respond, the vehicle made it into the city limits.
Just prior to 6 p.m. Lewis located the blue Tahoe on Crockett Road near Lamar Street and saw the vehicle commit a traffic violation.
Muniz said the officer stopped the vehicle in the 200 block of North Church Street for a turn signal violation.
“The driver of the Chevy Tahoe, identified as David Lee Sugars, 35, of Houston, advised officer Lewis that he was a federal agent, but could not produce any ID to confirm this statement,” he said.
Muniz said Sugars movements inside the vehicle caused the officer to become suspicious and Sugars was asked to step from the vehicle.
Muniz said the man placed his hand into his pocket and would not take it out when directed.
Sgt. James Muniz said officer Jason Lewis responded to a call of a reckless driver initially called into the Anderson County Sheriff's Office.
Muniz said, when the call came in, the blue Chevrolet Tahoe was several miles south of Palestine, but before Anderson County Sheriff's deputies could respond, the vehicle made it into the city limits.
Just prior to 6 p.m. Lewis located the blue Tahoe on Crockett Road near Lamar Street and saw the vehicle commit a traffic violation.
Muniz said the officer stopped the vehicle in the 200 block of North Church Street for a turn signal violation.
“The driver of the Chevy Tahoe, identified as David Lee Sugars, 35, of Houston, advised officer Lewis that he was a federal agent, but could not produce any ID to confirm this statement,” he said.
Muniz said Sugars movements inside the vehicle caused the officer to become suspicious and Sugars was asked to step from the vehicle.
Muniz said the man placed his hand into his pocket and would not take it out when directed.
Concerned for his safety, Lewis attempted to place hand restraints on Sugars for the safety of both men.
“As Lewis attempted to place him in restraints Sugars began to fight with Lewis. Officer Lewis was able to wrestle Sugars to the ground. During the struggle Sugars was able to hit officer Lewis in the eye causing him injury,” he said.
Muniz said Sugars was holding his keys in his hand at the time the struggle began.
During the struggle, Muniz said Sugars attempted to grab the officer's gun, but was unable to get it out of the safety holster. Muniz said arriving backup helped to get Sugars into custody. Sugars did not receive any serious injuries during the incident.
However, he said Lewis was taken to the Palestine Regional Medical Center for treatment to his eye and was later taken to Mother Frances hospital in Tyler for further treatment. Lewis was released from the hospital and is home recovering from the incident.
Muniz said Sugars was arrested on charges of assault on a public servant, resisting arrest and attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer.
His bonds have been set at $250,000, but Muniz said Anderson County Jail personnel have not been able to book the man, because he attempts to fight with officers.
“They have him in the holding cell and can't even book him, because he is acting so squirrely. We don't know if he is hyped up on drugs or what,” he said.
“As Lewis attempted to place him in restraints Sugars began to fight with Lewis. Officer Lewis was able to wrestle Sugars to the ground. During the struggle Sugars was able to hit officer Lewis in the eye causing him injury,” he said.
Muniz said Sugars was holding his keys in his hand at the time the struggle began.
During the struggle, Muniz said Sugars attempted to grab the officer's gun, but was unable to get it out of the safety holster. Muniz said arriving backup helped to get Sugars into custody. Sugars did not receive any serious injuries during the incident.
However, he said Lewis was taken to the Palestine Regional Medical Center for treatment to his eye and was later taken to Mother Frances hospital in Tyler for further treatment. Lewis was released from the hospital and is home recovering from the incident.
Muniz said Sugars was arrested on charges of assault on a public servant, resisting arrest and attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer.
His bonds have been set at $250,000, but Muniz said Anderson County Jail personnel have not been able to book the man, because he attempts to fight with officers.
“They have him in the holding cell and can't even book him, because he is acting so squirrely. We don't know if he is hyped up on drugs or what,” he said.
