Officer injured in drug arrest last night

Local St. Augustine reporters at Historic City News have learned that at Woodcrest Apartments last night around 6:00 p.m. while making a drug related arrest, one St. Augustine Police Officer was injured and sent to the hospital for a medical examination — before being cleared to return to work.

William Moltimore, the courtesy officer for Woodcrest Apartments, observed two 18 year-old men, Tyler Hillegas and Spencer Lake, standing by a vehicle on the Woodcrest property.

Moltimore watched Hillegas and Lake exchange a small plastic bag and money. Moltimore called for the on-duty zone officer and made contact with Lake — who was now sitting in a vehicle, holding the plastic bag containing small blue pills.

Officer Cory Weber arrived on the scene and Lake was taken into custody.

The two officers made contact with Hillegas who was walking in the parking lot. Hillegas was told to put his hands behind his back. Initially Hillegas cooperated, but as soon as police began to escort him to the patrol car, he pulled away from the officers.

In an attempt to get away, Hillegas shoved Moltimore back and elbowed Weber in the jaw.

A struggle ensued that ended with Hillegas being controlled and taken into custody.

During the time that officers were attempting to handcuff Hillegas, a crowd of people were yelling and interfering with Officer Moltimore. The crowd was told to move away from the officer and to leave the area.

All of the members of the crowd began to move away except 19 year-old Tyreik Salmond. He began yelling and became aggressive towards the officers, refusing to comply with repeated commands to back away.

Police Officer Michael Linskey arrived as back up and assisted Officers Moltimore and Weber in taking Salmond into custody.

Salmond and Hillegas were transported to the county jail and Lake was transported to the police station for questioning.

Lake admitted to buying pills from Hillegas. All the pills, which were identified as oxycodone hydrochloride, were seized and submitted into evidence. A small amount of marijuana that was also found on Lake was also seized. Lake was charged with possession of controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hillegas was charged with sale of drugs within 1000 feet of a school, two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest with violence.

Salmond was charged with resisting arrest without violence.

Community Affairs Officer Barbara Stevens of the St. Augustine Police Department reports that Police Officer Weber’s jaw was examined at Flagler ER and he was released.