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Tampa man accused of pointing gun at police, barricading himself in apartment

 
Published Dec. 13, 2012

TAMPA — An officer was injured Tuesday night after a Tampa man pointed a gun at police and barricaded himself inside his apartment, police said.

Several officers arrived at the man's apartment at 6415 S Roberts Ave. about 10 p.m. after he called 911 and asked to be taken to a detox facility.

The man — David C. Voutas, 42 — told the dispatcher that he had weapons in his home, Tampa police said.

When the officers arrived, they knocked on his door and asked Voutas to come outside to talk. Instead, he swung open his door and pointed a gun at the officers, police said.

Officer John Behanna fired at the man, and the others retreated for cover. Voutas then shut the door and barricaded himself in the apartment.

Officers ordered Voutas to step outside with his hands up. After several minutes, he did.

Police searched Voutas, 42, and found a knife in his pocket. Voutas was not injured, police said.

One officer, Gerald Jean, was injured when he fell down a flight of stairs during the incident. He was treated at a local hospital for a dislocated ankle, a broken left foot and a sprained right ankle.

Behanna, a 22-year veteran at the police department, was not hurt.

Voutas faces a charge of aggravated assault on an officer.

He has been arrested several times in Hillsborough County this year, records show.

In April, police say, Voutas crashed into a vehicle and fled the scene in his sports utility vehicle. Police had a license plate and a good description, and they arrested Voutas, who at that time was living at an extended-stay hotel and working at the Salvation Army.