Longboat resident arrested for battery on officer

Longboat Key resident James Armstrong, who resides on the 2900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive, was arrested at 5:40 a.m., Saturday, July 24, on felony charges of battery against a Manatee County Sheriff’s officer and resisting arrest against an officer with violence.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office police report, Armstrong walked into the Sheriff’s Operations Center at 301 Blvd. West in Bradenton, and requested medical help for his abdominal pain. Dep. Smith helped Armstrong get the medical assistance when Armstrong charged the deputy. Armstrong pushed Dep. Smith out of the front doors of the telephone reporting unit. Armstrong and Smith wrestled in the front of the office until the other deputies could arrive and help.

Smith received a dislocated shoulder and an abrasion on his forehead. Smith and Armstrong were transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital for treatment. Armstrong was released from the Manatee County jail on $2,500 bond.