WEST PALM BEACH, FL – A Palm Beach County man with an extensive criminal history is in custody and charged with several crimes related to the assault of an officer while fleeing police.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office, on January 9, at approximately 12:49 PM, deputies were alerted to a suspicious vehicle, a maroon Dodge Pickup truck, in the area of Military Trail and Purdy Lane. As Deputies attempted to affect a traffic stop on the vehicle it fled at a high rate of speed. While deputies chose not to pursue the vehicle, a “Be on the lookout” or BOLO was dispatched over police radio.
A short time later, at roughly 2:00 PM, a vehicle identified as a possible match was found to be in the area of Greengate Circle at an apartment complex. As undercover officers approached the vehicle and commanded the suspects to exit the vehicle a male driver complied. The passenger, however, slid over to the driver’s side, put the vehicle in reverse and stepped on the gas striking a deputy and his vehicle at a high rate of speed. The driver then fled the vehicle on foot and was apprehended a short distance away by a K-9 team.
Three individuals, 2 males and 1 female where taken into custody and one deputy was transported to a local hospital with injuries which were not considered life threatening. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Division and Crimes Scene Investigators determined John Pyrzyk, of West Palm Beach would be the only one of the three individuals to face charges for the incident.
According to State records from the Florida Department of Corrections, Pyrzyk, 48, has an extensive criminal history including forgery, fraud, grand theft, burglary and previous attempts at fleeing and eluding arrest. He was charged with knowingly driving with a suspended license, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.
The deputy who was hospitalized from the incident has been released from the hospital and is home recuperating.
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