Tampa officer attacked while disrupting potential crack buy

TAMPA -- A police officer is recovering from minor injuries this morning after officials say he disrupted an overnight crack buy.

According to a police report, officers saw a white four-door Mercedes-Benz pull into the parking lot of Salem's Gyros and Subs, a late-night sub shop at N Nebraska Avenue and E Henderson Road, about 4 a.m.

Police said an informer tipped them that "one of the suspects would have a large amount of crack cocaine with him."

As two uniformed officers approached, the driver of the Mercedes accelerated in reverse, police said. Officers tried to block the car with a cruiser and ordered the driver to stop. That's when Officer Jason Brocato reached inside the car in an attempt to control the driver, police said.

The driver punched Brocato in the jaw and shoulder before hitting the gas. Police said the bruised officer was still dangling from the window when the driver sped away.

The Mercedes was impounded after it was found abandoned near the intersection of N 34th Street and E Lake Avenue.

Casey Cora, Times staff writer