Ocala, Florida — On Tuesday, Ocala Police Officer Janette Cabrera responded to a 911 call in reference to a domestic disturbance.
When the officer arrived, she immediately saw a female, later identified as the victim, crying.
The victim yelled out, “He just beat the s**t out of me.” Officer Cabrera reported that the victim could barely walk and that she immediately called medics.
The suspect, Philip J. Pettey, 25, was still on the scene, and he was told by the officer to back away from the victim so the officer could evaluate the situation.
According to reports, Pettey was argumentative and verbally abusive toward the officer and the victim. Not taking any chances, Officer Cabrera called for backup.
Moments later, Ocala Police Officer Mark Crandall arrived and he and Officer Cabrera attempted to detain Pettey and place him in handcuffs.
Pettey immediately resisted the officers and pulled his arm away. Officer Crandall then pulled out his Taser and ordered Pettey to stop resisting.
Once he was handcuffed, Officer Cabrera turned her attention to the victim.
As the officer was speaking to the victim, Pettey began to tussle with Officer Crandall. He was stiffening his legs, pulling his body away from the officer, and would not walk toward Officer Crandall’s patrol car. Instead, Officer Cabrera stated that Pettey was trying to make his way back to the victim.
Both officers directed Pettey to the ground, at which time their body cameras were thrown from their uniforms. The officers then requested that their supervisor respond to the scene.
Once on the ground, Pettey stated that he would be cooperative.
While Officer Crandall held on to Pettey, Officer Cabrera walked ahead to open the door to her patrol car. That is when Pettey said, “Watch this.”
Pettey then broke away from Officer Crandall , ran toward Officer Crandall’s patrol car, jumped into the air, and landed on the hood. Pettey caused approximately $700 in damage.
Once the officers gained control of Pettey, they were able to talk with the victim.
The victim stated that when she attempted to pack her bags to leave her apartment, Pettey began to repeatedly punch her in the face.
She said that he threw her on the bed, placed his body on hers, placed his hands around her throat, and tried to strangle her. The victim told police that she could not breathe, but was able to fight and break away.
According to reports, the victim suffered multiple bruises to her ears (inside and out), right arm, right eye, and had scratches and swelling about her body.
Once inside the ambulance, paramedics had to remove a toe ring from the victim due to the swelling of her legs.
Pettey was arrested and charged with Resisting Arrest (x3), Felony Domestic Battery with Strangulation, and Criminal Mischief-Damage to Property.
He is currently being held on a $10,000 bond.
The victim is still recovering from her injuries.