By Police1 Staff
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Cell phone video captured a violent struggle as an off-duty officer fought a man attempting to grab his patrol rifle.
KRQE reports off-duty APD SWAT officer Stephen Arias was on his way home when he heard a call of a man threatening to kill a security officer over his radio in mid-August.
Officer Arias responded to the scene at an apartment complex. He had spent the day training at a gun range and was nearby when the call came over the radio. The 911 caller reported that the suspect claimed he had a gun.
The officer approached the suspect, Dino Bailey, who ran over to a vehicle in an attempt to flee. Bailey eventually stepped out of the car and attempted to fight Officer Arias, who had him at gunpoint.
Bailey and Arias then engaged in a foot pursuit. They soon became involved in a struggle over Arias’ rifle.
As Bailey attempted to grab the firearm from Arias, the officer managed to keep him at bay. Bailey was subdued after Arias gave chase again and backup arrived.
“It showed good ability to overcome adversity when the cards are stacked against you,” APD spokesman Officer Tanner Tixier told KRQE of the incident.
The APD says Officer Arias responded because of the urgency of the 911 report and his proximity to the area, despite being off-duty at the time of the incident. A gun was not found on the suspect.
Bailey faces charges of assaulting a police officer.