Okaloosa County deputy fends off armed assault, prevents suspect from taking sidearm in close call
Okaloosa County, Florida – A burglary suspect tried to pull a concealed weapon and grab the deputy’s sidearm in an incident on Wednesday, April 30, nearly causing the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office officer serious injury. According to the officials, what began as a routine check of an armed break-in on Auburn Lane near Crestview suddenly turned into a violent altercation.
Responding to claims of a house invasion, the deputy saw a young male on a minibike along Willow Lane who fit the witness description. The deputy came up and requested identification after signaling for the rider to stop. The suspect gave a false name before pretending to tinker with the minibike’s engine. Unexpectedly, the man went into his front pocket and drew what looked to be a.380-caliber revolver.
Reacting instinctively, the deputy seized the suspect’s arm. Though the fight was far from finished, the deputy tackled him to the ground. The guy hit the officer multiple times and tried to unholster the deputy’s gun. Using defensive strategies acquired in training, the deputy was able to keep control of his firearm and restrain the attacker just long enough for assistance to come.
Seeing the fight, a passing Good Samaritan ran to the deputy’s assistance and assisted to control the suspect. Moments later, a second OCSO officer arrived and helped to handcuff the 19-year-old. Identified as Blake Spieth of Willow Lane in Crestview, he was taken into custody without further incident.
Investigators on site found a stockpile of stolen items including power tools and a Turtle Box speaker. Officers also discovered a head covering and mask matching earlier burglary surveillance footage. Authorities think that these items connect Spieth straight to the break-in under inquiry.
Spieth faces a lengthy list of charges: aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer with violence, larceny, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, possession of fentanyl, armed trespassing, and possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held without bond at the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview.
“This is a prime example of how quickly things can go south for law enforcement officers working to protect our citizens and their property. We’re incredibly grateful our brave deputy was able to use his training to escape harm in this incident and we want to acknowledge the courage of the Good Samaritan who rushed to his aid during the struggle over a weapon,” said Sheriff Eric Aden.
Read also: Florida parents get direct complaint portal under new AG initiative supporting family rights
No one was seriously hurt in the altercation, and the investigation remains ongoing. Deputies continue to piece together the sequence of events and assess any further connections to recent burglaries in the area.
