A Lake Wales police officer is recovering after being violently attacked while trying to make an arrest. 

  • Lake Wales officer badly beaten while attempting to make arrest
  • Marcelino Jimenez-Cruz charged with second-degree attempted murder
  • Officer Colt Black in stable condition

Marcelino Jimenez-Cruz, 41, who is currently on probation for resisting an officer with violence, is accused of physically assaulting 21-year-old officer Colt Black on Monday, April 16. 

The violent encounter started when Black was attempting to conduct a traffic stop and spotted Jimenez-Cruz riding his bike without a headlight.

Police said Black instructed Jimenez-Cruz, who is also an illegal immigrant, to wait until he completed his initial traffic stop. 

According to police, Jimenez-Cruz fled the scene and began riding through the Orange Grove Shopping Center. Officer Black followed after Jimenez-Cruz and attempted to pull in front of him to block his path. 

After running into Black's patrol car, police said Jimenez-Cruz charged at Black, striking him in the head and neck. He also stole Black's portable radio and violently struck him with it. 

After backup officers arrived, police said Jimenez-Cruz continued to resist arrest. 

He was eventually take into custody and charged with: 

  • Attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer
  • Aggravated battery on law enforcement officer
  • Depriving an officer of means of communication/weapon 
  • Criminal mischief (two counts)
  • Violation of probation
  • Resisting an officer without violence (two counts)
  • Resist an officer with violence

Black was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he remains in stable condition.