INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 40-year-old man is in jail after authorities say he fled deputies, striking a K-9 unit’s SUV in the process.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office arrested Scott Helman around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday when deputies responded to a call about a domestic disturbance involving a weapon in the area of the 500 block of 7th Square in Vero Beach.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Helman fled the scene in a Chevy Suburban at a high rate of speed, ignoring the pursuing K-9 unit’s blue lights and sirens. Helman made several turns before reaching a dead end road near the 300 block of 9th Court, at which point he made a U-turn, driving toward the K-9 deputy’s Tahoe and struck the front bumper before continuing to flee.
Helman then continued to drive toward another patrol car that had come into the area, the Sheriff’s Office said. The deputy was able to avoid being struck. Helman continued to flee from deputies and lost control of his vehicle near the 100 block of 2nd Street, ending up in the front yard of a home.
He then fled on foot and ignored orders from deputies to stop, which led to K-9 Taz being released and Helman apprehended a few yards from the carport of the home. K-9 Taz knocked Helman to the ground and restrained him by biting him until deputies placed him in handcuffs, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Helman was taken to the Indian River Medical Center to be treated for injuries sustained, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Helman faces charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated flee and elude, felony driving on a suspended license, and resisting arrest without violence. Bond has not yet been set.
