A St. Augustine man was arrested Aug. 31 following a late-night disturbance on Hypolita Street that began inside a downtown bar and ended with him allegedly spitting on two police officers and grabbing for an officer’s gun, according to an arrest report.
Police said Jason Schofield, 59, became combative after bar staff asked him to leave the premises.
A witness told investigators Schofield had been rude to several patrons and was confronted by security.
When a bouncer attempted to escort him outside, Schofield slapped his hands away several times, the report states. The staffer then physically removed him from the bar and pushed him to the ground.
Video reviewed by officers allegedly showed Schofield standing up and striking the bouncer in the face, according to the arrest report.
The bouncer responded by punching him once, knocking him down. Officers said that the employee did not pursue Schofield further and acted in self-defense.
Schofield then walked away from the scene, where he was contacted by St. Augustine police officer.
Officers reported that Schofield had a bleeding head laceration.
While in custody, Schofield allegedly spit on him, prompting the officer to hand him off to a colleague at the scene while he cleaned himself up, the report states.
As that officer tried to control him against a wall while awaiting medical evaluation, Schofield resisted, tensed his body as though preparing to fight, and grabbed at the officer’s keys and firearm, papers state.
He’s then accused of spitting a second time, sending saliva and blood into the officer’s face, according to the arrest report.
Schofield was taken to the ground, fitted with a spit hood, and transported to Flagler Hospital.
After being medically cleared, he was booked into the St. Johns County Jail on charges of simple battery, resisting without violence, and two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
