A Miami man is facing serious charges after allegedly dragging a police officer with his three-wheeled motorcycle during an attempted escape from a traffic stop in Little Haiti, according to local authorities. Turiq Equan Harrell, 29, was arrested on multiple felonies, which include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and fleeing or eluding police, as reported by Local10. The Miami Police Department's Little Haiti Problem Solving Team said the area has seen significant issues with narcotics and shootings, Harrell's traffic stop notwithstanding.
Detectives shared, in a statement obtained by Local10, that officers were conducting an operation targeted at violent crimes around 7:45 p.m. near Northeast Second Avenue and Northeast 71st Street when they spotted Harrell operating a black Can-Am motorcycle with no visible tag and they tried to pull him over, but Harrell caught sight of them and uttered “Oh, s---!” and then attempted to reverse away, an effort during which he dragged and pinned an officer’s right leg to another vehicle, which led to the officer being transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center with road rash and a swollen ankle.
Harrell's court appearance is expected today, as announced by authorities, the WSVN news channel reports. The charges leveled at him are severe, with the Miami Police Department officially listing battery on an officer, fleeing and eluding, improper firearm display during the commission of a felony, and violently resisting an officer.
"They came across a Can-Am that had no tag. No one of our officers attempted to stop the vehicle," Miami Police Officer Michael Vega described the situation in an interview with WSVN adding that Harrell's subsequent actions were to refuse orders to turn off his vehicle, after which he tried to back away, trapping the responding officer’s leg between the motorcycle and a parked car, and making several attempts to flee, finally his motorcycle shut off, and it was after this that he was apprehended and a loaded firearm found in his possession during a search.
Currently detained at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, Harrell is being held until his bond can be set. His motorcycle has been impounded and the case appears to be an ongoing investigation, with further developments anticipated following his court appearance. The injured officer's condition is one of recovery, as per the updates from the hospital treating him.
