Suspect Injured as He Tried to Escape while Resisting Arrest NR09365kr

Los Angeles: A suspect believed to have a misdemeanor arrest warrant ran from police as they attempted to detain him for questioning.

On July 23, 2009, at approximately 6:45 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th Street Narcotics Enforcement Division Officer Wesley Sarno, a five-year veteran of the Department, and his partner, were working a plain clothes detail searching for narcotics activity in the area of 1500 West 51st Street.

Sarno and his partner saw suspect Darnell Hampton, 38 years of age, walking in the alley.  Hampton matched the description of a misdemeanor warrant suspect and the officers attempted to stop him to investigate further.  As the officers tried to talk with Hampton, he immediately took off running.  Following a short foot pursuit, the officers caught up to him, but he continued to resist them as they were taking him into custody.  

During the struggle, Officer Sarno’s mobile communications device hit Hampton’s head, resulting in a minor injury.  He was subsequently taken into custody without further incident.

Los Angeles City Fire Personnel responded, treated and released Hampton at the scene, and he was booked for possessing marijuana for sale.

The LAPD Force Investigation Division is investigating the use of force, and LAPD 77th Area Narcotics Enforcement Division is investigating the narcotics violation.  No officers were injured during the altercation.