EDMOND, Okla.--A police officer was punched in the face while trying to arrest an alleged thief.
It happened August 1st outside a dance studio where little girls were practicing.
Police say it was a frightening day for those at Studio J of Dance when intruders barged in and started throwing stuff onto their shelves.
A group of young girls and their instructors ran and hid in a room while a scuffle ensued.
Police say the Edmond officer was tangled up with Yohanker Paradela-Moreu as he tried to handcuff him.
"They get into a physical fight inside the dance studio. He's trying to leave so he's trying to wrap up his legs to stop him," Jenny Wagnon, with Edmond Police, said.
On dash-cam video you see the suspect drag the officer out of the business while kicking and punching him in the face.
"At one point trying to rustle him for his gun off of his waistband," Wagnon said.
The suspects’ car takes off nearly hitting them.
Right after, a back-up officer jumps in to help.
Then, a good Samaritan rushes over and helps police take the suspect to the ground.
"This video shows you, it's the prime example of how quickly something happens and can escalate and we're very thankful for the citizen who jumped in,” Wagnon said “We don't normally encourage for people to jump in the middle of police work, but this guy knew what he was doing.”
The initial responding officer suffered a few cuts on his arms and face, but luckily no one was seriously injured.
In the studio, police said the suspects tried to hide three wallets and 60 stolen credit cards.
Moreu is in the Oklahoma County Jail on a $200,000 dollar bond.
Police are still looking for the other suspects involved.
Detectives say they could be connected to the Felony Lane Gang.
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