Man Held in Alleged Assault on Officer

A Ventura man suspected of assaulting a police officer and threatening to kill him remained in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail Friday awaiting arraignment.

Adrian Latavia Haynes, 21, apparently ran from officers after they responded to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex on the west end of Hummingbird Street about 8:30 p.m. Thursday, a Ventura Police Department spokesman said.

When the officers arrived, Haynes was shouting at his girlfriend and breaking windows with his fists, the spokesman said.

Haynes then ran up a flight of stairs, and Officers Jerry Edwards and Paul Lambert chased him, according to police reports. Edwards caught up to Haynes at the top of the stairs, where the suspect turned on the officer and tackled him, grabbing for Edwards’ gun, still in the holster, the spokesman said.

Struggling with Haynes on the ground, Edwards hit him on the back with his metal police flashlight several times, then grabbed the suspect in a bear hug until Haynes let go of the holster, officials said. Lambert then came to help Edwards arrest a still-struggling Haynes, officials said.

Meanwhile a crowd of Haynes’ friends and relatives crowded nearby, shouting at officers. The crowd had to be held back by a third officer, Sgt. Larry White, officials said.

Haynes was treated for cuts to his wrists that he suffered while breaking the windows. He was booked into Ventura County Jail on charges of battery of a police officer, threatening to kill a peace officer and vandalism, a jail spokeswoman said.