May 22--VIRGINIA BEACH -- Two Fort Eustis soldiers were arrested and charged Saturday after police say they attacked an officer attempting to break-up a fight at the beach.
The incident occurred after 8:15 p.m. when a police officer responded to an assault occurring in the 300 block of 23rd Street at the Oceanfront. Police said two men were assaulting another man in a parking lot, a news release said.
An officer who was on bike patrol arrived on the scene, one of the suspects fled on foot, the news release said. The second suspect immediately charged him and tackled him to the ground. The suspect began assaulting the officer and choked him with his own helmet strap. The man who was initially assaulted, along with other bystanders attempted the pull the suspect off of the officer who was having trouble breathing, the release said.
Numerous officers arrived on the scene and the suspect taken into custody, the news release said. The first suspect was apprehended a short distance away, the release said.
The officer received minor injuries but declined medical attention, the news release said. One of the officers who assisted was taken to the hospital for a wrist injury but was treated and released.
The suspects were identified as Samuel S. Longoria, 18, of the 700 block of N. College Street in Gonzales, T.X. and Joshua D. Land, 19, of the 400 block of W. Walnut Street in Souderton, Pa. They were charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer.
Longoria and Land are stationed at Fort Eustis where they are a part of the 128th Aviation Brigade, said Vicki Bowker, a base spokeswoman.
They are currently in custody at Virginia Beach Correctional Center without bond.
Copyright 2012 - Daily Press, Newport News, Va.
