Officer hurt while tackling suspect

August 06, 2004|by DON AINES

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A Borough police officer sustained a broken collarbone Tuesday during the arrest of a Chambersburg man wanted for failing to appear for sentencing on a felony drug charge.

Officer Dana Kauffman broke his collarbone when he tackled Gregory R. Askins, 21, of 25 S. Franklin St., police said. Kauffman was treated at Chambersburg Hospital and released, police said.

Askins also was treated for unspecified injuries and released from Chambersburg Hospital. He was being held Thursday night in Franklin County prison, a prison spokesman said. A bond amount was not available.

Police said Askins was spotted in front of his home by a member of the Franklin County Drug Task Force and it was confirmed that a bench warrant was issued by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department for failing to appear earlier this year for sentencing on a felony drug delivery conviction.

When questioned by officers, police allege Askins gave them a false name and then fled on foot, crossing Lincoln Way West and then North Franklin Street in heavy traffic. Believing he was still in the area, police said, a K-9 team was brought in and Askins was found near 31 N. Franklin St.

Askins attempted to flee again and tried to hit an officer, police alleged. Kauffman then took him down and was injured in the process, police said.

Crack cocaine worth more than $500 was found in the place where Askins was hiding, along with two small bags of marijuana, police alleged.

New charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, escape, resisting arrest, possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and giving false identification to police were filed against Askins as a result of the arrest, police said.

In addition to his local bench warrant, police said he also was wanted for failing to appear for court in Bucks County, Pa.

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