EL CENTRO – At about 12:00 p.m., El Centro Police Department officers were looking for a missing person in the area of 1900 North Imperial Avenue. One of the officers went to Planet Fitness to look for the person.
According to a press release, while checking the business, a subject, identified as 39-year-old Roque Silva, “approached the officer and started an argument for no apparent reason,” the release reads. “To de-escalate the situation, the officer explained to Roque why he was there and started to walk away.”
A nearby gym-goer began recording the developing situation with his cellphone. Per the release, Silva “turned his anger towards him and stole the cell phone from the (patron)’s hand.”
“While attempting to get his cell phone, a physical altercation ensued between (Silva) and the gym (patron),” the release reads.
“The officer intervened and tried separating them, when (Silva) engaged the officer and became physically aggressive,” the release reads.
Less-than-lethal force options were used to apprehend (Silva), and he was placed under arrest, it reads.
Silva was charged with resisting arrest, assault against a police officer, and robbery and booked at the Imperial County Jail. This incident is an ongoing investigation.
Per the release, “the El Centro Police Department would like to thank Planet Fitness’s employees and the other gymgoers for their assistance and cooperation.”
