SPPD Says One Arrested, Two Officers Injured in Drug Raid

Left, suspect Andrew Anderson, 21, was arrested Friday for resisting arrest and could face additional charges for assaulting officers. (Courtesy of Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office)
By Brandi Makuski
An early morning drug raid at two area homes Friday morning resulted in one arrest and two injured officers.
Detective Sgt. Tony Babl confirmed Friday afternoon two officers received minor injuries after a suspect in a Main Street residence became physically violent after being presented with a search warrant.
Andrew Anderson, 21 of Stevens Point, was taken into custody on charges of resisting arrest.
Babl said drug detectives from the Stevens Point Police Department had information about drugs being sold from two residences in the city. He said the department’s SWAT team was called in to secure each home as officers searched locations on the 1600 block of Main Street shortly before 7 AM, as well as the 2300 block of Center Street shortly after 7 AM.

Chief Kevin Ruder (left) and Assistant Chief Marty Skibba (right) at a recent Police & Fire Commission meeting.
Assistant Police Chief Marty Skibba this morning said the searches were conducted so early in the day and in such a close time period to ensure occupants of the homes didn’t have a chance to warn another in the event drug activity at the two homes were connected.
Babl said it has since been determined drug activity inside the homes were not related. He added while he wasn’t present for the entire search, he did personally observe both marijuana and paraphernalia inside both homes.
“We did take one person into custody from the Main Street house for resisting arrest. He chose to fight with officers, which was a mistake on his part,” Babl said.
Investigators were still working on their report Friday afternoon, and said additional information may not be available until early next week, he added.
Two officers were injuried due to the altercation.
“They were minor injuries, but were as a result of the arrest,” Babl said. “One officer got an abrasion on their face, along with a sore neck and back and another officer twisted his knee.”
“The subject chose to resist and caused injuries to officers and he got to go to jail for it,” said Babl.