ORLANDO, Fla. — Brawl between Orlando police officers and suspect caught on video.
An Orlando deputy chief told Channel 9’s Cuthbert Langley on Monday that his two officers did what they had to do to try to arrest a man accused of smoking marijuana Friday night.
Police said they spotted Antwan Jordan smoking pot on the trunk of his car outside Panino’s Pizza.
Video posted to Instagram showed the officers patting down Jordan and another man for drugs.
Police said they found a baggie of cocaine in Jordan’s front pocket and when the officer went to remove it, a struggle ensued.
Jordan eventually broke free, escaped in his vehicle and briefly dragged the officers, police said.
Deputy Chief Robert Anzueto said one of the officers used pepper spray, but neither reached for a Taser.
Eyewitness News asked Anzueto why more force wasn’t used.
“It was one of the situations where they were hands-on and they didn't want to let go of this guy for any reason at that point,” Anzueto said.
After driving off, Jordan ran into a golf cart on Orange Avenue and injured the driver, police said. That is where Jordan was arrested.
Police found a loaded gun, cocaine and a drug scale inside Jordan’s car, police said.
“Who knows if that gun was on him at the time? Was it on the floor? We don't know that at this point,” Anzueto said.
The two officers involved in the fight will be back to work tonight.
The golf cart driver who was injured is now out of the hospital.
Jordan is being held at the Orange County Jail with no bond.
Cox Media Group
