SCRANTON — A city man pushed, shoved and threw a city police officer to the ground as she attempted to take him into custody Thursday, Scranton police charge.
Eddie Charles Brent, 24, of 1522 Washburn St., then fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, according to a criminal complaint. Scranton police apprehended Brent after a brief foot pursuit Saturday. Police charged him with aggravated assault of a police officer, fleeing police and resisting arrest.
Officers spotted a gray Ford sedan that fit the description of a stolen car while they were on patrol just before midnight Thursday near Sheetz on Mount Pleasant Drive.
Officer Rebecca Kohut confirmed the unoccupied sedan was stolen and requested backup.
A man walked out of Sheetz toward the vehicle and remotely unlocked it.
Kohut asked the man, later identified as Brent, if the vehicle was his. He said, “No,” then opened the driver’s side door and attempted to get in.
Kohut told him to stop and grabbed the handle of the car door to prevent him from closing it.
When Kohut opened the door, Brent pushed her.
Kohut held onto Brent’s arms and sleeves. Brent pushed Kohut to the ground, as she continued to hold onto his wrist.
When she got back on her feet, he pushed her and threw her to the ground before getting into the sedan and starting it.
Kohut grabbed the door handle and ordered Brent to stop.
Officer Brian Lynady approached the vehicle from the passenger side. He was unable to stop Brent, and injured his elbow.
Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.
On Saturday, officers spotted Brent in the 1700 block of North Keyser Avenue in the stolen vehicle.
When Officer Joe Flesher blocked the vehicle in at the Sunoco gas station, Brent took off on foot.
Officer T.J. Stornable arrived to assist, following Brent behind a dumpster and drawing his Taser.
When Brent began walking toward Flesher, Flesher pushed him against a wall. Officers took him to the ground and arrested him.
Officers requested an ambulance for Brent, who was bleeding from the left side of his forehead and elbow.