(ABC 13) The Lynchburg Police Department has released information after many claim a man was beaten by officers Wednesday night in Lynchburg.
Police said officers saw a man run a stop sign at 17th and Floyd Street around 3:23 p.m. on July 18 and they initiated a traffic stop.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Larry Anthony Booker, 31, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
They said while the officer was in the process of writing Booker multiple traffic tickets, including driving on a suspended license, a Lynchburg Police narcotics K-9 handler walked his dog around the outside of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of drugs inside.
When officers tried to arrest Booker, police said he resisted and attempted to run away.
Police said officers continued to 'gain control' of Booker and issued repeated commands and warnings to stop resisting the officers.
During the struggle, police said Booker rolled on top of one of the officers and continued to resist.
Witnesses to the incident said that Booker was listening to officers and was thrown to the ground while saying 'I'm not resisting' repeatedly.
One witness also said Booker was surrounded by cops hitting him with batons.
Police said the K-9 was also used to 'attempt to gain control and compliance from Booker' and the dog bit him on the leg.
Booker continued to resist, police said, and kicked the police K-9 and an officer.
Police said a police baton was used to get Booker to stop resisting and to stop him from kicking the police dog.
Witnesses said they saw Booker trying to kick the dog off of him and that things escalated quickly, saying they 'never saw anyone beat like that in their life.'
Booker's mother said police went went too far with the arrest.
"You throw him down to the ground and beat him like he's some dog," she said. "This has got to stop.
"Eventually, police said he was placed in handcuffs and they immediately called for medics; police said he was treated by officers until the medics with the Lynchburg Fire Department arrived.
After being released from the hospital, Booker was taken to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail on the following charges:
- Possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute
- Possession of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Two counts of possession/transportation of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a weapon/explosive material by a convicted felon
- Assaulting a police officer
- Injuring a police animal
- Two counts of obstruction of justice
- Driving on a suspended license
More details and updates to this story: ABC 13