Walking Patrol Officer Assaulted After Incident at Thurston County Food Bank, Police Say

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A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault Friday after hitting and choking a member of Olympia police's walking patrol, a spokesman said.

About 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2, a pair of downtown walking patrol officers were dispatched to the Thurston County Food Bank after a report of simple assault.

The suspect, a 42-year-old man, had become aggressive and agitated at the food bank and began swinging a bag of food around. Food flew out of the bag and hit a woman in the nose, triggering a nose bleed, Lt. Paul Lower said.

The patrol found the man near the Intercity Transit Center and advised him he was under arrest for assault. A struggle ensued after the man allegedly began pulling things off one of the officer's utility vest, Lower said.



During the struggle, the suspect allegedly hit one of the officers in the face and head and broke the visor on his bike helmet. His helmet also was pulled back on his head so that the helmet straps were choking him, Lower said.

The officer was treated at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, where he reportedly had difficulty speaking and swallowing, Lower said.

A third officer arrived at the scene and the man was taken into custody. The 42-year-old man was booked on three counts of assault.