A Lincoln Police officer is recovering after a struggle around 4:45 Thursday morning at the Kwik Shop at 1st and Cornhusker. The LPD says the officer was on patrol when he ran the plate of a vehicle and discovered that one of the passengers had an outstanding warrant.
Officer Luke Bonkiewicz says the officer contacted 30 year old Ras Bateman in the Kwik Shop and explained that he had a warrant for failing to appear for a driving under suspension citation. The told Bateman that since the warrant had a personal recognizance bond Bateman would be booked and then released on without having to post any money.
When the officer attempted to take Bateman into custody he slammed the officer up against the metal frame of the convenience store door and ran outside. The officer recovered and tackled Bateman, attempting to take him into custody. LPD says Bateman then swung his elbow into the officer’s face, causing a nose bleed and a concussion.
The officer drew his Taser and ordered Bateman to stop fighting. When Bateman continued to fight to escape the officer deployed the Taser and placed Bateman in custody.
He was cited and booked for felony 3rd Degree Assault on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.