A man was arrested Friday night after police said he took off from a police checkpoint in Orlando, dragging an officer with him.
An Orlando police lieutenant said officers were conducting a driver's license and vehicle equipment checkpoint on Friday night, when they pulled over a man with a female passenger.
The officer conducting the stop smelled what he believed to be marijuana, police said, and tried to open the driver's side door to order the man out of the vehicle.
As he did, police said the driver hit the gas, speeding away from the checkpoint. The momentum of the vehicle taking off pulled with it the officer, who fell and rolled to a stop on the ground, according to police.
The officer was not injured, but firefighters were called to the scene as a precaution. Police said they caught up with the suspect about a quarter-mile away.
He fled his vehicle on foot, and was apprehended by officer with the help of a canine unit, police said. The man was hospitalized after his confrontation with the police dog, and was expected to be booked upon his release from the hospital.
Investigators said they later discovered about 93 grams of marijuana in the suspect's vehicle. His name had not been released late Friday, but police said he's faced felony charges in the past.
Police said the man will be charged with eluding arrest and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and will likely face drug charges as well. The female passenger had not been charged Friday night, but police said that could change.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
