Grassy Key man arrested on felony warrants

A Grassy Key man fought with deputies and yelled for help from his mother before being arrested on outstanding felony warrants early today.

An anonymous caller reported just before 2 a.m. that a wanted felon – 23 year old Craig Vettinger – could be found at 58662 Overseas Highway on Grassy Key. Sergeant Nick Whiteman and Deputies Daniel Hill and Garrett Bragg were familiar with Vettinger. He is well known for fleeing from law enforcement and for fighting with deputies so they formed a plan to catch him with those things in mind.

                      

Sgt. Whiteman and Deputy Hill went to the address where Vettinger was supposed to be and, when Vettinger fled from them, Deputy Bragg, who was hiding a short distance away, waited for him. When Vettinger approached Bragg’s location, the deputy stepped into his path.

Vettinger, startled, fell down. He was handcuffed and taken into custody. He refused orders to walk to a nearby patrol car; and he struggled and fought with the deputies as they carried him to the car. At one point, he began yelling for his mother, who was at the residence, but who did not interfere with the arrest.

Vettinger was charged with the two warrants, both of which were for violation of probation ref. battery and burglary. He was also charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and resisting arrest.