NEWPORT — The Newport Police Department has charged a West Charleston man who allegedly assaulted two police officers who attempted to arrest him on an existing warrant.
Daniel Martin, 25, has been charged with assault of a protected professional, resisting arrest, escape attempt, and attempted operating without the owner’s consent.
Police say Martin also had a warrant for his arrest from the Department of Corrections.
At about 5:15 p.m. on Thursday a Newport Police officer initiated an unrelated wellness check at a residence on Third Street.
While leaving that home the responding officer heard loud arguing from a nearby apartment and investigated.
During the investigation, the officer determined that two people in the apartment, Dane Cross, 36, of West Charleston, and Donald Poulin, 47, of Derby, were wanted on outstanding warrants.
Cross previously had been charged with burglary, and Poulin had previously been charged with failure to appear on a charge of driving with license suspended.
The officer determined that a third person in the apartment, identified as Martin, had a warrant for his arrest.
He is facing charges including burglary, resisting arrest, transportation of marijuana into a detention center, cocaine possession, false reports to law enforcement, and two counts of escape attempted.
Police say Martin resisted an officer’s attempts to take him into custody and fled the scene on foot.
He ran down Third Street, where he encountered a Newport Police Sergeant, who attempted to detain him.
Martin is alleged to have clawed at the Sergeant’s face and attempted to gouge his right eye.
He was eventually detained when the Sergeant utilized a stun gun to subdue him.
Newport Police were later assisted on scene by the Vermont State Police and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, which helped take Poulin and Cross into custody on their warrants.
As a result of the incident, two Newport officers were treated for minor injuries at North Country Hospital.
“Our officers showed bravery in the face of an unpredictable situation, and I’m grateful that their injuries were not more serious given the danger they faced,” Chief Bingham said.
