Suspect Arrested In Aggravated Assault On Police Officer

Clearwater Police detectives, acting on information provided by other law enforcement agencies, arrested a man who drove his car toward an off-duty officer working at Dillard's Department store, said Chief of Police Sid Klein.

According to detectives, Officer Tom Stein was working in an off-duty capacity at Dillard's Department store at Countryside Mall on Saturday morning, October 13 when he was alerted that a man was concealing leather jackets belonging to the store. Officer Stein confronted the suspect who ran out of the store and into the parking lot; the officer gave chase to the suspect through the parking lot, where the suspect got into a white vehicle and drove toward the officer. The officer fired his service weapon at the suspect. The suspect continued to flee from the officer.

Acting on information provided by the St. Petersburg Police Department, Clearwater Police detectives contacted several subjects who claimed to have knowledge of the incident. This information led detectives to the suspect's vehicle, which was seized, and eventually to a south St. Petersburg motel where the suspect was located and arrested.

Clearwater Police arrested Carlton Lamar Grooms, B/M, date of birth September 6, 1966 and charged him with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer. Grooms listed no permanent address. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail; additional charges are pending. The suspect, when arrested, did have an injury to his leg; however, detectives are still trying to determine if the injury was caused by a bullet or other means. Grooms refused treatment at Bayfront Hospital.

The investigations both criminal and administrative are continuing, and a review of the use of force is underway. Officer Stein remains on routine administrative leave, with pay, pending the outcome of the investigations.

For additional details regarding this incident, contact Acting Public Information Officer, Sergeant Doug Griffith at 727-562-4347.

/s/
SID KLEIN
Chief of Police