Homeless Man Charged With Assaulting Rochester Police Officer

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A homeless man living in Rochester is facing a felony charge for allegedly assaulting a police officer earlier this week.

Police Encounter Leads to Arrest

Olmsted County court documents indicate 24-year-old Gabriel Topka Hancock was arrested Monday afternoon after he was encountered by a Rochester police officer on routine patrol who recognized him as a person with warrants for his arrest from Ramsey County. The encounter occurred at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and 4th Avenue Northwest.

What the Criminal Complaint Alleges

According to the criminal complaint, Hancock actively resisted the officer when he moved to take him into custody. It's alleged that he put his hand on the officer's face and dug his fingers into the officer's nose, causing it to bleed.

Threats Allegedly Made During Transport

The court document says that during the ensuing struggle, Hancock allegedly attempted to put the officer into a headlock before he was eventually subdued. The officer also stated that Hancock continued to resist while he was being placed into the back of a squad car and allegedly "made threats to shoot and kill" the officer transporting him to the Olmsted County Jail.

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Hancock is charged with felony fourth-degree assault on a police officer and a misdemeanor count of obstructing the legal process.

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Gallery Credit: Christine Manika (TSM)