80-Year-Old Punches Police Officer

An 80-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday after she attacked a Tavares police officer following a car accident, officials said.

Officer Daniel Snyder responded to a traffic accident Wednesday at U.S. Highway 441 and Huffstetler Drive in Tavares, said Tina Sagona, the department's records clerk.

When he arrived, he determined that Thalia Logas, 80, of Tangerine had improperly changed lanes, striking another car, Sagona said Snyder tried to issue Logas a citation for improper lane change. After she refused seven times to sign the citation, he placed her under arrest. Logas refused to allow Snyder to place her in handcuffs and punched him several times in the chest and stomach as he tried to gain control of her arms, according to an arrest affidavit.

Snyder finally handcuffed Logas and placed her in his patrol car. Logas wriggled out of the handcuffs and threw them out a window.

Logas was taken to the Lake County Jail on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and refusing to sign a traffic citation. She posted $7,250 bail Wednesday night.

Snyder was not hurt.