SILSBEE, Texas — Three bystanders rushed to aid a Silsbee Police officer after he was assaulted by man at a gas station early Saturday morning.
Silsbee Police Officer Justin Holt was dispatched to a report of a man acting "erratically" the Exxpress Mart on the Highway 96 bypass just after 2 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019, Silsbee Police said in a news release.
When Officer Holt arrived and approached the door of the convenience store Christopher Daniel Lavan, 35, who is 6' 2" and weighs about 250 pounds, was walking out the door according to the release.
Police say that when the officer asked Lavan to stop so he could speak to him Lavan did not respond but immediately attacked the officer.
Lavan lifted Officer Holt into the air and slammed him onto the concrete before falling on top of him the release said.
Three men in the parking lot, who witnessed the attack and the ensuing struggle, rushed to Holt's aide and helped him subdue Lavan according to the release.
Lavan is being charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.
Janis Holt, Officer Holt's mom, took to Facebook sharing a Silsbee Police Department post about the incident and asked for prayers for her son's recovery from injuries sustained in the incident.
Holt sustained injuries to his knee and lower back and was transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for treatment the release said.
Lavan was taken to the Hardin County Jail and charged with "Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer" and "Resisting Arrest, Search or Transport" the release said.
His bond was set at $260,000 on the two charges.
Silsbee Police Chief Waylan Rhodes thanked the men that helped Holt saying in the release, "We are all forever grateful to the three Samaritans who without hesitation went to the aide of the officer. Without their help the outcome may have turned out much worse."
From a Silsbee Police Department news release:
PRESS RELEASE
Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer
On Saturday, January 26, 2019, at approximately 2:05 AM, Silsbee Police were dispatched to the ExpressMart, located at 3025 Hwy 96 Bypass in reference to reports of a black male subject, inside the store, acting erratically.
Silsbee Police Officer Holt responded to the call. Upon arrival, Officer Holt approached the door leading into ExpressMart, where he encountered the subject in question attempting to exit the store. Officer Holt instructed the subject to hold up that he needed to talk with him, with no response or warning the subject attacked Officer Holt.
The subject later identified as Christopher Daniel Lavan (b/m, dob- 2-16-83), 6’2”, and 250 lbs., grabbed Officer Holt, lifting him into the air and eventually slammed him down onto the concrete floor, just outside the store front doors landing on top of the officer.
At that time three adult males in the parking lot saw Lavan, attack the officer, and immediately rushed to the officer’s aide. After a brief struggle and with the assistance of the three men the suspect was taken into custody.
In an interview with the store clerk who made the call to police she told Investigators that about 1:45 AM, Lavan came into the store and that she immediately became concerned because he looked and acted angry. Lavan asked to use the store telephone but that he couldn't seem to get a hold of anyone. The clerk stated that Lavan continued to act belligerent and even mentioned to another customer in the store that he was considering stealing his vehicle. Lavan briefly exited the store and then returned and selected two sports drinks; he approached the register to pay for the drinks, threw his money at her. The clerk attempted to hand Lavan back his money when he grabbed her hand and snatched the money from her stating something to the effect of 'give me my money!" Soon after that the police arrived.
Officer Holt sustained injuries to his knee and lower back area and was transported by Ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for further medical evaluation.
Lavan was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Bond set at $250,000 and Resisting Arrest, Search or Transport, Bond set at $10,000.
In 2016 Lavan was previously arrested for Resisting Arrest, Search, Or Transport and plead No contest and was sentenced to 90 days confinement and court costs- Jefferson County.
We are all forever grateful to the three Samaritans who without hesitation went to the aide of the officer. Without their help the outcome may have turned out much worse said Silsbee Police Chief Waylan Rhodes. We wish Officer Holt a speedy recovery, said Rhodes.