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UMD officer assaulted during foot-pursuit
BY SARA JOCHEMS
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ISSUE: 78/29
An university police officer was assaulted during a foot-pursuit early Sunday morning. Sgt. Sean Huls said that at 1:50 a.m. the officer was on foot patrol in the LSH lobby. “He walked out to Griggs beach near ‘M’ section, when he noticed small fires on the ground,” Huls said. “He approached two males who were just messing around.”
Huls said the officer was in the process of questioning and IDing the two men. “He walked the males into Griggs Hall when one of the males took off,” said Huls. “He caught up to the male where a struggle ensued.” Huls said that, according to the police report, during the struggle, the young man punched the officer in the face. “The struggle continued until two other university officers arrived at the scene,” Huls said.
According to Huls, the male who assaulted the officer was arrested and sent to St. Louis County Jail. “He was charged with 4th degree assault, which is a felony,” Huls said. “He was also charged with obstruction with force, disorderly conduct, fleeing police on foot and underage consumption. Huls and Lt. Anne Peterson said that the suspect’s name could not yet be released, because the formal charge was not brought back to university officers.
When the County Attorney’s Office was contacted, UMD student Tobias Cummings was identified as the man who struck the officer. The Assistant County Attorney, who charged the case out, said that Cummings has been released with bail from St. Louis County Jail. “For right now, the charges are pending,” said the attorney, whose name must remain anonymous because Cummings has not officially been charged.
Huls added that severe consequences would arise if the male was found guilty. “He could spend anywhere from one to three years in prison and/or a $6,000 fine,” he said. Huls also added that the male who was with the suspect was charged with disorderly conduct and underage drinking.
“The officer will be all right,” Huls said. “He suffered superficial injuries to his face and knees due to the struggle.”
