A Ohio man was arrested earlier this week after he choked a police officer during a dispute with Spirit Airlines at Orlando International Airport, according to an arrest affidavit.
On Tuesday, around 9:30 p.m., a crowd of people were “becoming aggressive with the Spirit staff and threatening them,” the report said.
Officers were called to handle the disturbance, which according to the report, included people yelling by the Spirit Airlines ticket counters and barging over their desks.
The police report said a Spirit employee requested assistance with 41-year-old Edward Hariston, who was described as being aggressive with staff.
Hariston was allegedly leaning over the ticket counter and arguing with staff members. The police report says a woman was with him and was also yelling at staff.
The officer who engaged Hariston reportedly grabbed his arm after Hariston reached for a keyboard on the desk and began hitting buttons. Police say Hariston then took the officer to the ground and put one of his arms around his neck.
According to the report, the officer “began to get dizzy” and “loose consciousness.” Several officers helped remove and restrain Hariston off of the officer.
After the altercation, Hariston was arrested and booked into Orange County jail with no bond.
He faces charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and disorderly conduct.
arabines@orlandosentinel.com
