Man Breaching Probation Faces Numerous Charges after Assaulting Female Police Officer

A Guelph man faces assault and weapons charges after a police officer was punched in the face while making an arrest Thursday.

Approximately 10 a.m. members of the OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) unit were at a north-end hotel looking for a man wanted for mischief over $5,000 and several counts of breaching court orders. The suspect saw officers and tried to flee out a rear door.

An officer tried to stop him but he grabbed her tactical vest and punched her in the face. More officers placed the male under arrest as he continued to struggle and not comply with demands. Following his arrest officers located a spring-assisted knife inside a bag he was wearing.

The officer sustained a minor injury but did not require medical assistance.

A 40-year-old Guelph man is further charged with assault police, resisting arrest, possessing a prohibited weapon, breaching a weapons prohibition and several counts of breaching probation. He was held for a bail hearing Friday.