Mattoon Police Officer Injured in Altercation, Arrest Made

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Published on April 15 2016 4:30 pm
Last Updated on April 15 2016 4:30 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A Mattoon police officer was injured in an altercation with a suspect Thursday.

Mattoon police report the incident occurred at 12:30am when the officer made a traffic stop at 19th and Dewitt. The officer approached the suspect vehicle on the driver side, and the suspect, 24-year-old Nicholas Lindley of Mattoon, fled from the vehicle by exiting through the passenger door.

The officer gave chase and attempted to apprehend Lindley about a block and a half from the original stop. Police say Lindley refused to obey the officer's commands and became combative. During the course of an ensuing struggle, Lindley made several attempts to disarm the officer by grabbing the officer's holster and attempting to remove his duty firearm from the holster. After failing to remove the gun from the holster, Lindley allegedly was able to gain control of the officer's 24-inch Maglite. Lindley then reportedly turned the Maglite on the officer and struck him about three times in the head, rendering the officer dazed and confused, and unable to complete the arrest. Lindley then reportedly fled the scene and was later apprehended by other Mattoon officers without futher incident.

Officers discovered a firearm at the scene of the altercation that allegedly fell out of Lindley's pants during the officer's attempt to take him into custody. Drug paraphernalia and a fairly substantial amount of methamphetamine was also seized at the time of the arrest.

Lindley and the injured officer were transported by the Mattoon Fire Department to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County. The Mattoon officer was treated for head injuries, and was off duty Friday recovering at home, but Lindley was admitted for issues police say are not related to his arrest.

The Coles County State's Attorney's Office has charged Lindley with aggravated battery and attempting to disarm a peace officer. His bond was set at $750,000.