Flomaton man is back behind bars

Mathis facing multiple charges

A Flomaton man with a long criminal history, who was on probation in Escambia County, Ala., was arrested Jan. 28 in Escambia County, Fla., on multiple charges that include battery on a police officer, burglary of an occupied dwelling, robbery (carjacking without firearm or weapon), resisting an officer with violence and battery on a police dog.

Eric Tyler Mathis, 25, who was listed as homeless by the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office, was jailed on a combined bond of $136,000 in Florida, but has outstanding warrants for his arrest in Escambia County, Ala.

Mathis had multiple prior arrests in Alabama, including robbery, and was sentenced to community corrections. Court records show he violated the conditions of his sentence to community corrections and an arrest warrant was issued in May, 2020.

According to reports released by the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office, last Thursday deputies were dispatched to a call on State Street in reference of a male, later identified as Mathis, walking in and out of traffic and attempting to grab the steering wheel of a person's vehicle, while occupied.

When officers arrived they reported seeing clothes and other belongings in the road and was informed by a by a female sitting on her porch that the male was last seen on the porch of 4909 State St.

One victim shouted to officers that Mathis was on the victim's porch attempting to enter his home, while his daughter was inside.

Officers went to 4909 State St., and observed Mathis sitting on the steps of the victim's carport door, hiding behind a blue tarp.

The report stated Mathis repeatedly said it was his house and that the deputies needed to leave. The responding officer reported that Mathis told him that he could leave if he 'capped' another deputy.

The report said officers repeatedly told Mathis to show them his hands and get on the ground, which he refused to do.

Mathis then stood up and told deputies to leave his property. Deputies then pointed a taser and weapon at Mathis and waited for additional officers.

When other offices arrived, they reported Mathis took aggressive steps toward them and two deputies grabbed Mathis and took him to the ground, giving him multiple commands to put his hands behind his back.

The report states Mathis continued to resist to be placed into handcuffs. Mathis then began pushing off the ground with all deputies on top of him. Two deputies then delivered multiple strikes to Mathis' head and face, ultimately knocking him unconscious.

The report said officers then attempted to put handcuffs on Mathis, but noted Mathis regained consciousness and attempted to pull his left hand away from the deputies. Mathis continued to ignore commands to put his hands behind his back.

The report notes officers delivered several more strikes to Mathis' head and face, knocking him unconscious a second time, which enabled them to place a handcuff on his right hand.

Officers attempted to secure his left hand, but Mathis continued to resist.

A K-9 unit arrived and deputies moved away from Mathis. Mathis was tased in the back, which had no effect.

Deputies reported Mathis continued to refuse commands to get on the ground and due to the taser being ineffective, the K-9 was was deployed. The report also noted that while the dog was holding Mathis, Mathis grabbed the dog around the neck.

After removing the dog, deputies were able to regain control over both of Mathis' hands and place him in handcuffs and then rendered aid to the suspect.

An ambulance arrived and transported Mathis to Baptist Hospital.

The carjacking victim told officers he observed Mathis in the street 'acting strangely' and drove his vehicle up to Mathis and asked him if he was all right.

The victim said Mathis then reached through the front driver-side window and grabbed his steering wheel.

Being in fear he was being carjacked, the victim drove off. When the victim returned home he said he saw Mathis trying to open the carport door and get inside the residence, where the victim's daughter was located.

 
 
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