Another officer who responded to the scene made the report of the incident after witnessing part of the altercation. The second officer responded to the call at approximately 2:10 p.m. March 23 at the rear parking lot of Oxford Square Apartments on South College Avenue.
The backup officer saw the first officer speaking to a male in a white T-shirt when the male took off running with the first officer pursuing him. The backup officer attempted to assist but was unable to catch up to them. Meanwhile the chase doubled back to the original site and the original officer caught up with the male and a struggle ensued after which the officer had blood on both of his arms and his belt looked disheveled with his radio hanging down to his side. A third officer had arrived to assist in handcuffing the suspect.
Life Squad teams were called for both the officer and suspect.
As the suspect was being placed in the squad vehicle a search revealed two baggies of a white crystalline substance. He was asked if he had anything else hidden on his person and he reportedly replied just the “crystal meth.” The officer sat with him for an hour at the hospital until his release and then took him to the police department for processing.
The officer involved in the original contact with the suspect and the altercation had prepared a written statement saying he had seen the suspect using tools to attempt to force entry into the vehicle and was told he had locked his keys in the vehicle, which he said belonged to his girlfriend. He took off running and then continuously tried to break free when the officer caught up with him, trying to grab for his radio when the officer attempted to call for help. The radio was ripped from his duty belt and was hanging to the ground.
The suspect was charged with robbery, obstructing official business and resisting arrest and taken to the Butler County Jail.
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