3 police officers injured in busy weekend of calls

Three Lawrence police officers suffered injuries during two incidents last weekend, said Sgt. Trent McKinley, a police spokesman.

McKinley said none of the officers was hospitalized.

Two officers were injured after two men were arrested during a disturbance early Saturday at Fuzzy’s Tacos, 1115 Mass. McKinley said one of the officers had bruises and abrasions to his knee and a shoulder injury from a struggle. One person grabbed the officer as he assisted in the arrest of a suspect. A second officer received injuries to his hand, wrist and both knees while taking a suspect into custody.

A third officer was injured about two hours later as police investigated an aggravated battery that occurred in the 1400 block of Apple Lane.

A 26-year-old female suffered facial injuries during the incident and was treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. When police arrived, a man fled the area, so police set up a perimeter. One officer was injured after a foot pursuit. When police apprehended the 18-year-old Lawrence man, officers determined he was not the suspect but a witness to the aggravated battery, McKinley said. The witness was arrested on an obstruction charge, but prosecutors have not yet filed formal charges against him.

He posted $750 bond and was given notice to appear in court July 13 if he’s formally charged. Police on Monday had not located the suspect in the aggravated battery.

In another incident, a man who allegedly possessed methamphetamine made his way into a fire station and stayed there for about seven hours before he was arrested Sunday morning.

McKinley said firefighters at the station, 3708 W. Sixth St., trapped the suspect in a room about 5 a.m. Sunday. Police arrested a 37-year-old man, Kristopher Pete McDonald, without incident. The suspect had a Topeka address listed in jail records, and police also described him as a transient.

Officers determined the man had likely entered the bay doors of the station about 10 p.m. Saturday and remained there throughout the night. McKinley said separately from possessing methamphetamine, McDonald was accused of taking medication from inside the station and items from a firefighter’s personal vehicle parked outside. Police found the man in possession of firefighter pants and a shirt.

Douglas County prosecutors Monday charged McDonald with aggravated burglary, vehicle burglary and possession of a controlled substance.