Man Charged with Assaulting Officer After Incident Saturday on Janna Lee Avenue: Police

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Fairfax County Police say a man is facing charges after he grabbed an officer's gun holster during a struggle that started Saturday afternoon when the officer recognized him as having an outstanding arrest warrant.

The incident took place Saturday around 3:30 p.m. in the 7900 block of Janna Lee Avenue (see map below), where a patrol officer saw a man walking in the area and recognized him as having an outstanding arrest warrant, police said. An investigation confirmed the man was wanted on criminal charges, according to police.

When the officer attempted to take the suspect into custody, the suspect resisted and the two began fighting, police said. During the struggle, the suspect grabbed ahold of the officer’s gun holster, according to police. The officer utilized his baton and was able to gain control of the suspect until responding officers arrived and helped him restrain the suspect. Police did not elaborate on the use of the baton in their public report Monday.

Sterling J. Flowers, 23, of the Alexandria area, was taken to the adult detention center and charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and the outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court was served, according to police. Police did not say what the original charge was that called for his appearance in court.

The suspect declined medical attention at the scene but was examined by medical staff at the jail. The officer did not require medical attention.

Approximate location of incident Saturday afternoon (Google maps):

PHOTO: Sterling Flowers photo courtesy of FCPD