Two Cedar Rapids policemen assaulted while making arrest

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man faces two counts of assaulting peace officers after a traffic stop early Saturday morning.

Steven C. Frink, 29, of 98 33rd Ave. SW, has been charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer and interference with official acts with injury. He is accused of punching Officer Dan Kent in the face and elbowing Officer Nathan Baughn in the face.

According to a police report, officers became suspicious of a car around 1:45 a.m. when it remained at a stop sign for several seconds, so they initiated a traffic stop at I Avenue and Eighth Street NW. They identified Frink as the passenger and Tonya Tompkins, 32, of 98 33rd Ave. SW, as the driver. Both were intoxicated, police said.

While police were conducting a field sobriety test on Tompkins, Frink got out of the car. When he was told he would be arrested for public intoxication, he first tried to spit at Officer Kent, and then struck both officers, police said.

The officers scuffled with Frink but were able to take him into custody. Frink was checked for injuries at a hospital before being taken to the Linn County Jail. Tompkins also was arrested on suspicion of operating while intoxicated.

Neither officer was seriously hurt. Frink was no longer in custody Tuesday.