Oct. 15--A man accused of robbing a cab driver early Saturday tried to punch an officer during his arrest.
James Floyd, 33, faces felony charges of robbery and obstruction of an officer. Accused of snatching $20 from a cab driver, Floyd wrestled with an officer moments later near Linwood Boulevard and Sixth Avenue.
Floyd appeared Monday in Columbus Recorder's Court and pleaded not guilty. Senior Judge Michael Cielinski ordered him held on $12,500 bond.
According to Officer Sam Orwig, Floyd was at the Circle K, 1445 Veterans Parkway, early Saturday when he approached a cab driver and asked for change for a twenty dollar bill. The cab driver pulled out two ten dollar bills, which Floyd grabbed from his hand.
Orwig said the driver demanded his cash, to which Floyd replied, "What are you going to do if I don't?"
Floyd then walked away from the Circle K, and the driver told him to stop. When he didn't, the driver called police, the officer testified.
Orwig responded to the area with a description of the suspect. He said he spotted Floyd near Linwood Boulevard and Sixth Avenue.
Orwig then stopped Floyd and had him put his hands on the patrol car.
"He pushed off the patrol car," Orwig said. "He took a swing at my head."
Floyd missed, and the pair fell to the ground as they wrestled. Orwig managed to handcuff Floyd, though the officer cut himself on his handcuffs during the struggle. Reports state Floyd had a scratch on his head.
Copyright 2012 - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
