Man Charged After Allegedly Assaulting Minneapolis Officer, Trying to Grab Officer’s Taser
Hennepin County Jail Booking Photo
MINNEAPOLIS MN: — A man is facing three felony charges after prosecutors allege he threatened officers, swung a pointed object at one officer, attempted to grab another officer’s Taser and punched an officer during an arrest in Minneapolis.
Antonio Dajuan Vortice was charged in Hennepin County District Court with felony prohibited possession of pepper spray, attempted disarming of a peace officer and fourth-degree assault of a peace officer causing demonstrable bodily harm.
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement responded Sept. 9 to the area of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue for a follow-up report involving a suspect who had allegedly been harassing people at a bus stop with a knife.
Officers identified the suspect as Vortice, according to prosecutors. The complaint alleges Vortice became increasingly agitated and threatening while interacting with officers and at one point stated that he would “stab an officer today.”
Prosecutors allege Vortice then grabbed a small can of pepper spray and held it as though he was preparing to deploy it toward officers. Authorities later determined the can contained oleoresin capsicum, commonly used in pepper spray.
As officers attempted to take Vortice into custody, he allegedly pulled an object from his pocket and swung it upward toward an officer. The object was later identified as a long, pointed comb handle, according to the complaint.
During the struggle, prosecutors allege Vortice attempted to remove a Taser from another officer’s duty belt. He is also accused of punching an officer in the face, causing cuts to the officer’s nose and beneath the eye.
The complaint states Vortice has a 2011 first-degree aggravated robbery conviction that prohibits him from possessing pepper spray under Minnesota law.
Court records listed in the complaint also indicate Vortice has other open and pending cases in Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
Each of the prohibited-possession and attempted-disarming charges carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. The fourth-degree assault charge carries a maximum potential sentence of three years and/or a $6,000 fine.
Vortice remained in custody at the time the complaint was filed.
The charges are allegations. Vortice is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.