Drunk suspect earns added charges after assaulting officer

What began as an arrest for mischief early Sunday morning quickly escalated into assault of a police officer after a young Vernon man spit on the cop who took him into custody.

The 19-year-old was allegedly jumping on a parked car in the 3900 block of 25 Street just after 3 a.m. when a local resident called the police.

Officers located the man on 40 Avenue where he was ripping pickets off a fence. He was arrested for mischief under $5,000.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the man was drunk and very uncooperative.

"The male replied F-off to every question he was asked," Molendyk says. "At the detachment, as he was being let out of the police car, he spit on one of our officers who opened the back door to let him out."

That's when things got worse for the trouble-maker. Not only was he charged with mischief under $5,000, he is also expected to face charges of assaulting a peace officer.

"It appears that this suspect damaged fences in two locations, and quite a bit of damage to the car he jumped on," Molendyk says.

The man has been released on a promise to appear in court.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230.