POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 35-year-old Lakeland man faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an August 4 incident at a local convenience store that ended with an officer being assaulted, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the Nick and Moe’s store at 4410 Kathleen Road in Lakeland around 11:00 p.m. after receiving a report that a man had thrown a glass beer bottle at a vehicle.
According to the victim, Herschel Leroy Burdine, III was soliciting money outside the store. When the victim ignored Burdine, entered his vehicle, and began driving away, Burdine allegedly threw the bottle at the car.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies located Burdine near the store’s fuel pumps. Burdine fled on foot when officers approached. A deputy fired a Taser during the pursuit, but the probes missed. Burdine was apprehended shortly after slipping on wet grass.
After being handcuffed and placed inside a patrol car, Burdine began thrashing around and kicking the door, causing damage to the vehicle. When a deputy opened the door to restrain him, Burdine kicked the deputy in the face.
Burdine was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and booked on several charges, including throwing a deadly missile at a vehicle, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, resisting arrest without violence, criminal mischief, and disorderly intoxication. Authorities noted he also had an active warrant for failure to pay child support.
According to law enforcement records, Burdine’s criminal history includes previous charges for robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, grand theft, retail theft, battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, drug possession, and violation of probation.
READ: Alabama Duo Sentenced To Life In Multimillion-Dollar Drug Ring Using Child Couriers
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
