Newark Officer Subject of Assault

Newark Police said an officer and cruiser were the target of an intentional assault and vandalism early Saturday morning.

Authorities said officers were called to the area of 184 Monroe Street just after midnight on a burglary in progress. As officers were in route they were also advised of a possible assault in the same area.

Through the investigation officers learned 22-year-old Austin Price, of Newark, had entered a residence on Monroe Street and assaulted his girlfriend with a hammer. He was also accused of assaulting a neighbor who had come outside to help. Price fled the area with the help of an acquaintance 28-year-old Hubert Puckett, of Newark.

During the investigation police were able to locate Puckett and arrest him for violation of a protection order. He was placed in Officer Steve Benner’s cruiser while officers searched for Price.

Price returned to the area and located Officer Benner and his cruiser, approached the cruiser with a concrete block and threw it through the passenger side window, breaking the window and sending glass onto Officer Benner.

Price fled on foot and a K-9 tracked him to Race Street where he tried to hide in a vehicle. He continued to resist officers and K9 was used to apprehend him.

Price was taken into custody and treated at Licking Memorial Hospital prior to being transported to the Licking County Jail.