DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities are searching for a subject who, they said, assaulted a Broward Sheriff’s deputy in Deerfield Beach.
It happened at the BurgerFi on North Ocean Drive and Northeast 20th Avenue, around 8 p.m., Monday.
According to BSO, a deputy was patrolling on foot, when the restaurant’s manager asked the deputy to help remove an unruly customer. That’s when officials said the subject became combative and tried to fight the deputy.
“You don’t typically see a deputy, you know, punched,” said Bobby Tucker, a witness. “They started trying to attack the police officer, and then from there like 15 of them showed up.”
The subject was able to get away but not before being pepper sprayed.
“They’ve had police officers around every corner,” said a BurgerFi employee, “had a helicopter flying around … looking for the guy. They closed down the bridges, and every street is shutdown.”
A perimeter was set up, blocks away, near Northeast 20th Avenue and Fourth Street.
Boca Raton Police assisted in the search that lasted several hours overnight.
“They won’t let you come down these streets right now,” said the BurgerFi employee. “Cops pretty much everywhere right now, so it’s pretty insane.”
The scene has since been cleared with no arrests made. However, BSO said they know the suspect’s identity, and will issue a warrant for his arrest.
Officials said the BSO deputy involved is expected to be OK.
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