A 31-year-old man is facing a slew of charges, including attempted murder, after he allegedly rammed his vehicle into an Apopka police officer and a K-9 while trying to evade arrest.
According to the Apopka Police Department, the incident occurred shortly after 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, when officers responded to the 1200 block of S Apopka Boulevard in reference to a suspicious person inside a parked vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers reportedly found the suspect, identified as Orlando resident Lazaro Vela, actively using illegal drugs inside the car. The officers instructed Vela to exit the vehicle, but he allegedly refused to comply.
As officers attempted to physically remove him, Vela reportedly shifted the vehicle into reverse.
Moments later, Vela’s vehicle struck an officer, several Apopka patrol cruisers, and another parked vehicle during his initial attempt to flee, according to APD.
Moments later, Vela allegedly drove off the road and onto the sidewalk, with police noting that he also struck multiple other vehicles.
Additional officers and a K-9 team were at the incident location, and they assisted with eventually halting Vela’s vehicle. He was then taken into custody without further incident.
Vela was placed under arrest and booked into the Orange County Jail, where he remains in custody without bond. He is being charged with attempted felony murder, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, animal cruelty (striking a police animal), aggravated fleeing with Injury or property damage, resisting an officer with violence, resisting an officer without violence, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.