Assault charges after police officer struck ‘repeatedly’ during impaired arrest attempt in Whitby

An Oshawa man is facing assault charges after police say he “struck an officer repeatedly” during an impaired driving arrest attempt.

Central West division officers responded to an impaired driver call at a restaurant parking lot at Taunton Road East and Garden Street in Whitby just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning when they saw the suspect “driving in an unsafe and suspicious manner.”

Police initiated a traffic stop by blocking the suspect vehicle and spoke with the driver who exhibited signs of impairment. When an arrest attempt was made the suspect resisted and began punching one of the officers before he was finally taken into custody. The officer sustained minor injuries.

The suspect, 46, is charged with assaulting a police officer, two counts of assault with intent to resist arrest, impaired driving and driving over .08.

He was released on an undertaking.

Anyone with cellphone, dashcam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact Cst. Hauk of Central West division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2285. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at http://durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.