LAW ENFORCEMENT’S A DRAG 2009
A driver who was pulled over Friday night by an Ocala police corporal sped away with the officer's feet hanging out the driver's side door of his Volkswagen convertible.The driver, Bradford Sheldon, 44, of Gainesville, also tried to push Cpl.George Hunley out of the car as he drove at speeds in excess of 80 mph, according to the Police Department.Hunley, Sheldon and Officer Matt Sams, whose foot was run over, received minor injuries.Sheldon was charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, kidnapping, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, two counts of resisting arrest without violence, reckless driving and driving on a suspended license. He declined an interview request from the Starbanner.Here's an account of the episode based on information from the Police Department:It all started shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, when Hunley noticed a blown headlight on a Volkswagen convertible in the 600 block of Northwest 10th Street. Hunley, who had been traveling in the opposite direction, turned around and stopped the VW in the 800 block of North Pine Avenue.Sheldon told the officer that he did not have his driver's license. He reportedly told Hunley it was a valid license and then gave him a name and Social Security number.Hunley checked the information, learned that it was false and called for backup.Then Hunley approached Sheldon, who buckled in the driver's seat, and asked for the keys. Sheldon refused to hand them over.Hunley reached in and tried to get Sheldon out of the car. Then a dashcam video shows the corporal, along with Officer Matt Sams, trying once again to remove Sheldon from the car.During the struggle, Sheldon drove off. A back tire rolled over one of Sams' feet. Hunley's upper body was in the car as the two continued to struggle. His feet were dangling outside.Hunley repeatedly told Sheldon to stop the car, but Sheldon continued to drive, telling the officer to "just get out," a police report says. They continued to struggle, with both men holding onto the steering wheel, the car door open and the VW traveling more than 80 mph.The report says Sheldon swerved the vehicle toward a guard rail at the bridge in the 600 block of North Pine Avenue.The car was damaged when it hit a raised median in the 900 block of South Pine Avenue. Hunley then turned the steering wheel to the left, which made the car turn onto Southwest 10th Street, where it stopped.Sheldon crawled out the passenger side window to escape. Hunley pulled out his Taser and stunned him.It appeared to have no effect, as Sheldon continued to resist. Hunley tackled him and placed him under arrest.Sheldon had just been release on Oct. 24 from Marion Correction Institution after serving more than a year for credit card fraud and cocaine possession.