Shoplifter assaults, tried running down police officer www.privateofficer.com
Omaha NE Sept 18 2011 A Council Bluffs man was jailed after he allegedly struck an off-duty police officer in a Walmart parking lot with three young children in his car.
John T. Chestnut, 27, was arrested Friday night on suspicion of attempted murder, three counts of child endangerment and first-degree robbery, a felony.
Police said Chestnut attempted to shoplift several DVDs.
Chestnut was booked on a series of additional offenses, including resisting arrest, driving without a license and eluding police, a felony, police said. There was also a warrant for Chestnut’s arrest.
Council Bluffs Police Officer Joe Hothersall was working security at Walmart Friday night when he tried to stop Chestnut in the parking lot for suspected shoplifting, said Sgt. Pat Toscano.
After a brief struggle, Chestnut pushed Hothersall down.
He struck Hothersall with his Mercury Topaz as he fled the parking lot. A female and three young children were also inside the vehicle, police said.
Police were able to stop Chestnut at Iowa Highway 92 at Interstate 29 with a “pit maneuver” — using a cruiser to tap the rear corner of Chestnut’s vehicle and spin the vehicle out, Toscano said.
The children, ranging in age from 3- to 8-years-old, were taken by Child Protective Services. The female in the vehicle was also booked on suspicion of shoplifting and child endangerment, according to authorities.
He said Hothersall was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Mercy Hospital and released.
Source:Omaha.com
