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Lake Wales police begin review of Saturday's riot

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: November 10, 2009

TAMPA - The Lake Wales Police Department has opened an administrative investigation into a melee that followed a weekend traffic stop.

About 75 to 100 people gathered and grew combative with officers trying to take three suspects into custody, officials said. Some interfered with attempts to arrest the suspects, two of whom escaped because of the crowd's intervention.

A number of citizen complaints were filed with the department after the incident, Assistant Chief Chris Velasquez said Monday. Coupled with a use of force by officers, that automatically starts an administrative review.

"The biggest goal right now is to get any and all evidence that is out there," Velasquez said. "That means any and all video or photographs circulating around.

"There were a lot of emotions out there," he said, "and it led to a very dangerous situation for the public and for the police officers."

The incident began about 3 p.m. Saturday when an officer stopped a car at C Street and Dr. J.A. Wiltshire Avenue because the window tint was too dark, police said. Officers said the driver, Vincent Lamar Thomas, 24, of Lake Wales, tried to swallow some marijuana.

Thomas' struggle with the officers drew onlookers who grew hostile.

Velasquez said rumors circulated through the community that police had shot someone and that drew a larger, more belligerent crowd.

A police cadet was punched in the chest by one onlooker, identified as Donovan Gray, 21, of Lake Wales, and two passengers in the car, Charles Hart, 24, and his twin brother, Clifford, grabbed the remaining pot and bolted into the crowd, police said.

More police arrived and Thomas was arrested. When police tried to arrest Gray, he struggled and one officer shot him with a Taser. An onlooker, identified as Ernest Hampton, 19, of Lake Wales, pulled the electrical prongs out of Gray, allowing him to continue fighting, police said.

Gray was arrested. Hampton escaped but turned himself in at the county jail Monday, Velasquez said. Warrants have been issued for the Hart brothers.

Some residents criticized the department.

Jerry Smith, who was not involved in the incident, said he's afraid to leave his house at times.

"I could go down the road and who knows what they'd charge me with," he said.

Velasquez said the department wants the public's backing.

"If we find out an officer did something wrong, we will stand with the community and deal with that officer," he said.

Two officers suffered minor injuries in the scuffle and have been placed on light duty.

Officer Sean Ouellette, who made the traffic stop, has been the subject of citizen complaints but all the cases were ruled unfounded, Velasquez said.

Reporter Neil Johnson contributed to this report. Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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