Wilmington – On February 15, 2017 at approximately 9:23 a.m. a Downtown Business Officer on foot patrol was approached by a subject who advised that a window had been damaged at the Shipley Loft located at 701 North Shipley Street.
Witnesses pointed out the suspect, later identified as defendant George Thomas,35, of Wilmington as the individual who had broken out the window, according to police. The officer was able to provide a detailed description to officer’s responding into the area.
A K-9 Officer was in the area conducting an area search when he was flagged down by a witness who pointed out the defendant who was walking from Water Street to Justison Street. The witness had been following the defendant from the original incident.
The K-9 Officer conducted a pedestrian stop of the defendant in the 100 block of Justison Street. The officer attempted to conduct a pat down search of the defendant for weapons. The defendant became aggressive striking the officer on the right side of his face with his forearm, officials said.
Authorities said the defendant continued fighting officer by grabbing him by the back of the head causing scalp abrasions. The defendant broke free and began running west through a parking lot when the K-9 Officer utilized his canine partner, who was able to catch the defendant allowing his handler and the assisting downtown officer to take the defendant into custody.
Defendant Thomas was taken to the Wilmington Hospital and treated and released into police custody.
The K-9 Officer, identified as a 8 year veteran of the force responded to the Wilmington Hospital where he was treated and released for the described minor injuries received in the struggle.
At police headquarters, defendant Thomas was booked on the charges of Assault 2nd Degree of a Law Enforcement Officer, Resistant Arrest with Force, and Criminal Mischief Under $1,000. Defendant Thomas was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Facility in lieu of $7,000 cash bail.
Image Credits: Wilmington PD