VA Man Tries To Disarm Police Officer During Arrest: ACPD

ARLINGTON, VA — A 38-year-old man from Palmyra, Virginia is facing multiple charges, including attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer, related to an incident that occurred Saturday afternoon in the Ashton Heights area, according to authorities.

Officers responded around 3:25 p.m. to investigate the report of an intoxicated person on North Oakland Street at 5th Street North.

"Responding officers observed a suspect with an open container of alcohol and determined he was intoxicated in public," according to the incident report. "While attempting to take him into custody, the suspect kicked and attempted to disarm an officer while making threatening statements."

With the arrival of additional officers, the suspect, identified as Lucas Belcher of Palmyra, was arrested and charged with assault on police, attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer and public intoxication. He later was released on his own recognizance.

Belcher is scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. on Friday in Arlington General District Court, according to court records.

Both the assault on a law enforcement officer and attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer are Class 6 felonies. If convicted on either of these charges, Belcher faces a potential sentence of one to five years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.