A Fort Lauderdale Police officer was hospitalized after he was injured in a scuffle with a trespassing suspect outside a convenience store late Tuesday night, police said.
The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. at the Food Plus Store at 3031 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Police said.
Police said the officer responded to the store where the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Jermetrius Deveaux (pictured below), refused to leave.
When the officer told Deveaux he would be arrested if he refused to leave, Veveaux attacked the officer, police said.
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During the altercation, the officer fell to the ground and broke either his ankle or leg.
The store clerks who had called police were able to free the officer from Deveaux, who was on top of the officer. They held him down until back-up officers arrived and took him into custody, police said.
Police commended the clerks for their quick and courageous response.
The officer was taken to Broward General Medical Center where he was recovering from surgery.
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Deveaux was charged with battery on an officer and resisting an officer without violence and with violence. He was being held on $1,600 bond and it was unknown whether he has an attorney.
