ANGOLA, IN (WTVB) – A physical confrontation between police and an Angola man led to three law enforcement officers being injured late Saturday night.
The Indiana State Police says in a news release the entire series of events started at about 11:30 p.m. when Trooper Ben Walker conducted a traffic stop on a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe passenger vehicle on County Road 275 North near the Lake James Golf Course which was driven by 40-year-old Aaron Sylvia for speeding.
Walker requested assistance during the traffic stop from Steuben County Sheriff Department Corporal Alex Harris and his K9 unit to conduct an open air search.
Sylvia allegedly resisted exiting the vehicle. Troopers say he became extremely combative and resistant, striking both Walker and Harris with multiple punches and kicks.
Harris employed a Taser device but it was not effective. Indiana State Police Trooper Dan Burkey then arrived and also became engaged in the physical altercation to restrain Sylvia.
Officers from other police agencies then arrived on the scene and Sylvia was subsequently restrained.
After being transported to a local area hospital for medical evaluation and clearance, Sylvia was taken to the Steuben County Jail where he was booked on five charges including two felonies for battery on a Public Safety Official. He was also booked on misdemeanors for Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Troopers Walker and Burkey, and Corporal Harris were all injured. They were medically evaluated and released without the need for further medical attention.
Several troopers from the Indiana State Police Post in Fort Wayne, the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, Angola Police, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Countryside Towing Service all assisted at the scene.
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