Man Punches Volusia Deputy During Arrest

DeLand, FL – A man is facing a multitude of charges after an investigation into a disturbance ended with him punching a Volusia County deputy in the face. Deputies with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office were called to a DeLand home on Sunday (Dec. 12) in reference to a disturbance, when responding units found 35-year-old William Polanco standing outside of a locked car with a woman inside.  Deputies learned from Polanco that he and the woman were married, but separated. According to a report from the VSO, Polanco said he felt she was seeing another man, so he came over to the residence to confront her.  Deputies had already noticed that Polanco seemed extremely agitated, adding that he was “demonstrating body language as if he was wanting to fight.” Polanco even told deputies that he was willing to fight them “if it came to that.” When deputies were finally able to talk to the woman, she told investigators Polanco came over unannounced to confront her about seeing another man. She asked him several times to leave, but he refused to go until she told him if she was seeing another man. She grabbed her purse to leave, but was grabbed by Polanco. He also snatched her purse and pulled it away from her. She was able to make it outside, where she yelled for a neighbor to call the police, which they did. She then jumped into her vehicle and locked the door to get away from Polanco. But, because Polanco was parked behind her, she couldn’t leave the area. Deputies spoke with nearby neighbors, who corroborated the woman’s story, saying they watched as Polanco and the woman argued. One said they watched as Polanco snatched the woman’s purse after he chased her to the car. During his arrest, Polanco “stood up aggressively” and attempted to run away. But, as he was attempting to run, he punched a deputy in the face. Several deputies then grabbed Polanco and took him to the ground. A report from VSO says a deputy gave Polanco “several punches” in an effort to get him to comply, but he still resisted. Then they delivered another round of punches to Polanco, which is when he complied. The report from deputies stated the deputy who was punched also sustained an arm injury and had to be transported to the hospital for evaluation. Polanco had also suffered injuries from the fight, receiving scratches and abrasions to his face, and a swollen left eye, which is apparent in his booking photo. After he was cleared from AdventHealth DeLand, he was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail. Polanco is now facing numerous charges, including battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, false imprisonment, robbery by sudden snatching, trespassing, and resisting arrest with violence. He remains behind bars on a $100,000 bond. Records from the Volusia County Clerk of Courts shows Polanco is set to be arraigned on January 3. News Daytona Beach has reached out to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office to check on the status of the injured deputy. We are currently awaiting a response.