Bradenton police officer assaulted during arrest; suspect faces assault, drug, vehicle theft charges

Bradenton police officer assaulted during arrest

Suspect faces assault, drug, vehicle theft charge

BRADENTON -- In a desperate effort to elude cops who were chasing him for allegedly stealing a vehicle, Abraham Nix punched Bradenton police officer Nasheka Craddock in the mouth and wouldn't slow down until he took a Taser to the body, authorities say.

When the Taser ended his ability to flee Saturday afternoon, Nix, 20, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, stealing a vehicle, trafficking in cocaine and possession of heroin, according to a Bradenton police report.

Nix was being held in the Manatee County jail Sunday under an $88,000 bond.

The incident came to a head at about 3:17 p.m. Saturday, when the Manatee County Sheriff's Office notified Bradenton police that Nix and a vehicle that was reported stolen from Bradenton could be located at 5150 Cortez Road, Bradenton, according to the report.

When police converged on Cortez Road, Craddock tried to grab Nix, but he hit her in the face as he took off running, the report said. Another officer deployed a Taser device that made Nix compliant.

When searched, Nix was found to be in possession of rock cocaine, powder cocaine, and heroin, the report said.

Medics responded for Nix who was taken to Blake Medical Center for treatment. Craddock did not seek medical attention, but she did file a notice of injury report for a swollen lip, the report said.

Last year, Craddock was hit by a car driven by a different suspect and sustained minor injuries, according to Herald archives.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Bradenton police officer assaulted during arrest; suspect faces assault, drug, vehicle theft charges ."