The owner of a window tinting company in Leesburg was arrested after allegedly threatening to release his dogs on an officer during a traffic stop.
An officer observed a white Mercedes-Benz sedan with only one working headlamp headed south on County Road 468 at 11:40 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. As he tried to catch up to the vehicle, its occupants, including 39-year-old Jazzmen Deywan Benjamin, quickly pulled behind a residence near the intersection with Griffin Road in Leesburg.
The officer activated his emergency lights as he entered the backyard. He saw the male driver with his leg out of the driver’s side door and his hand reaching for something in the vehicle. The officer drew his firearm and ordered him to show his hands, the report said.
For some reason, the driver exited the vehicle, so the officer switched to a taser. The driver eventually complied and got back into his seat. The officer was then speaking with dispatch when Benjamin got out of the vehicle, the report said.
The officer immediately ordered him back into the vehicle, but he refused. He turned to face the officer and put his hands on the roof of the vehicle, continuing to defy orders. As the officer moved to the passenger side of the vehicle and aimed his taser at Benjamin’s abdomen, he returned to the vehicle, the report said.
Benjamin then told the officer to get out of his yard. He refused to close his door, repeatedly threatening to “pull the pitbulls” on the officer. He advised that the officer had five seconds to get out of his yard, or his dogs would “eat” him, the report said.
At that point, the driver got out of the vehicle again. The officer was ordering back inside when Benjamin threatened to release his dogs once more. More units were on their way as he made noises with his mouth and stated, “Bring the dogs out.” The report noted he had once again exited the vehicle.
Upon the arrival of more officers, the driver was handcuffed for further investigation. Benjamin was told several times to put his hands behind his back, which he did not do. He was ultimately detained, and he threated to “beat” the officer when he got out of the handcuffs, the report said.
Benjamin was charged with corruption by threat against public servant and resist officer without violence. He was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $6,000 bond.