Man strikes Flomaton officer; arrested

A Frisco City man, who admitted he was high on meth, was jailed on multiple charges New Year's Eve following a scuffle with a Flomaton police officer outside McDonald's in Flomaton.

Brandon L. Hawkins, 24, 5272 Bowden St., was charged with assault II, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, criminal mischief III and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on $25,000 bond. Reports note Hawkins was facing a bond revocation in Baldwin County and a failure to appear warrant in Escambia County, Ala., at the time of his arrest. He was also given a bond of $1,000 on the failure to appear charge.

According to police reports, Flomaton officers were dispatched to McDonald's at 2:54 p.m. in reference to a suspicious person. Employees said Hawkins was sitting down, nodding off, and then getting up and walking around the restaurant.

When officers John Skipper and Bennie Stokes arrived, Skipper made contact with Hawkins outside McDonald's. He reported Hawkins ignored orders to take his hands out of his pockets and then tried to flee on foot.

Skipper grabbed the suspect and an altercation began with Hawkins resisting arrest. During the altercation, Skipper was struck in the face and his glasses were broken. Police also reported seeing Hawkins swallow a plastic bag.

Bystanders aided Skipper and Stokes in arresting the suspect. Hawkins was transported to D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton for injuries to his face. Skipper suffered minor injuries.

After being read his rights, Hawkins said the reason for his actions at McDonald's was because he was high on methamphetamine, which he had recently injected. He also admitted the plastic bag he swallowed contained meth.