Man allegedly punches police officer after stealing scotch bottles from Total Wine in Coral Springs
Coral Springs, Florida – A late-night theft at Total Wine in Coral Springs took a violent turn when a man allegedly assaulted a police officer while trying to flee the scene with stolen scotch. The incident unfolded on April 5, 2025, when 26-year-old Lazaro Galan Valera from North Miami Beach walked into the store located at 2564 University Drive. According to a police report, Valera made a beeline for the bourbon section, where he picked up two bottles of Macallan 12 Double Cask and one Macallan 12 Sherry Oak, totaling a value of $231.97. With the bottles concealed under his hoodie, he left the store without paying.
As he exited, a Coral Springs police officer responded to the store’s call and instructed Valera to stop. The officer attempted to handcuff him, but Valera reportedly resisted. In an act of aggression, he allegedly yanked his arms away and struck the officer twice in the face, the report stated. The officer struggled to regain control, and after a brief scuffle, Valera was eventually subdued on the ground.
Valera was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and retail theft. The arrest was further complicated by an immigration hold, according to court records. Valera has been held at Broward County Jail without bond since the incident.
The violent altercation was a stark reminder of the unpredictability law enforcement officers often face during seemingly routine arrests. The police officer involved was not reported to have sustained serious injuries, but the incident underscores the dangers of retail theft, which can escalate quickly into violent confrontations.
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Valera’s case remains under investigation, and he is expected to face further legal proceedings. As for the stolen scotch, it was recovered and returned to Total Wine, where employees and customers were shaken by the evening’s events. This violent episode highlights the risks involved in such thefts and the importance of ensuring the safety of both officers and the public during police interventions.
The Coral Springs Police Department, while focused on bringing justice to the case, also reiterated the importance of peaceful resolutions to theft-related offenses. Despite the outcome of this case, they urged residents to remember that most thefts don’t escalate to such extreme confrontations and called for continued cooperation between law enforcement and the community.
