FHP: Undocumented immigrant arrested after attacking Florida trooper
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Law enforcement has arrested a man who they say was involved in a physical altercation with a Florida trooper on Tuesday.
FHP said that a trooper arrived at a single-vehicle crash on the westbound lanes of S.R. 528 at mile marker 25 at about 5:45 a.m.
They said that a car was located in the tree line and when the trooper approached the driver, a physical altercation occurred. The adult male suspect then fled into the woods.
Troopers reportedly set up a perimeter and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office deployed their K-9 and helicopter.
By 12:04 p.m., FHP confirmed to FOX 35 that the suspect was located off of S.R. 528. He attempted to steal a golf cart from a residence there. They later identified him as 18-year-old Audain Perez-Vasquez. An Orange County K-9 located him hiding under bushes and he was subsequently bit. The suspect was then arrested and taken to the hospital for the dog bite.
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A witness to the incident told FOX 35 that the altercation between the trooper trying to help him and Perez-Vasquez went down behind her home.
"I got on the phone with police and I saw him going into the woods. They told me to stay on the phone and probably within 15 minutes the K-9’s came out and I saw the dog go into the woods and get the guy."
She added, "It’s very scary. I was glad my kids were at school the whole time and I had my doors locked all day."
Perez-Vasquez was said to have been charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting an Officer with Violence. Officials say that he also is an undocumented immigrant that was deported three years ago.
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The trooper involved was reportedly also transported to the hospital with minor injuries but is expected to be okay.
Watch FOX 35 Orlando for the latest Central Florida news.