Clinton man accused of assaulting Mount Vernon police officer

LISBON - A Clinton man is accused of assaulting a Mount Vernon police officer with his own baton.

According to the Linn County Attorney's Office, around 8:40 p.m. on Feb. 4, while on patrol in Lisbon, a Mount Vernon police officer saw 36-year-old Erwin Bell with a marijuana pipe. Authorities said the officer tried to arrest Bell, but the man fled.

Bell refused to stop for the officer and instead punched him in the face and assaulted him with his baton. Authorities said Bell also attempted to take the officer's stun gun from him.

After Bell was subdued, officers discovered he was carrying a .22 caliber handgun. Police also found cocaine and marijuana where Bell had been sitting. Bell was previously convicted of a felony in Clinton County and is barred from possessing a firearm.

Authorities said while Bell was being checked for injuries, he spit on another officer.

Mount Vernon Police Chief Doug Shannon said the officer who was assaulted suffered minor injuries and was treated at the hospital.

'The officer is doing fine,” Shannon said.

Bell was arrested and has been charged with two counts of disarming a police officer, control of a firearm by a felon, interference with official acts while displaying a dangerous weapon, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, carrying weapons, assault on a peace officer causing injury, assault on a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bell remains in custody at the Linn County Jail on a $30,000 warrant.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com