Mesa police say suspect rammed patrol car, knocked down officer
Apr 22, 2019, 1:00 PM
(Mesa Police Mugshot)
(Mesa Police Mugshot)
PHOENIX — Police in Mesa said a young man trying to avoid arrest rammed an officer’s car several times and knocked him down before finally being taken into custody.
Jonas Gaspard Post, 20, was charged Sunday night with aggravated assault on an officer, unlawful flight, resisting arrest and drug charges.
Post was spotted near U.S. 60 and Country Club Drive in a park-and-ride lot. The uniformed officer approached the car – the engine was running in a trespass enforcement zone – and identified himself.
Post put his car in reverse and slammed into the marked patrol vehicle.
Police records said Post sped away, clipping the officer and dragging him a few feet.
Post cut through another parking lot and rolled into oncoming traffic, nearly colliding with another police car.
He eventually wound up in a business complex, where he parked, got out of the car and ran away. Authorities in a helicopter tracked him.
Post was found on the roof of a building at the site near Southern Avenue and Horne.
The report said Post told the arresting officer, “I was just smoking weed.”
DUI charges were pending against Post.
The unidentified officer suffered minor injuries.
