CHICO, Calif. - A suspect was arrested on multiple charges related to battery on a Peace Officer resulting in serious bodily injury Tuesday evening, says Chico Police Department.
At 6:15 p.m., the Chico Police Dispatch Center responded to a call at a retail store in the 2500 block of Notre Dame Blvd., where they found the suspect swinging a hammer in the air and acting threateningly toward customers, said Chico PD.
The suspect, identified by police as James Owens, 36, was also pointing his finger at shoppers acting in a manner to shoot them and the shoppers. Chico PD said shoppers in the store believed Owens was on drugs.
Chico PD officers were able to locate Owens in the store and attempted to deescalate the situation using less-lethal tools but Owens fled through the store leading to a pursuit, said Chico PD.
During the pursuit, one officer caught up to Owens and began to detain him when Owens punched the detaining officer, breaking a bone in the officer’s face, according to Chico PD. The detaining officer continued to take Owens to the ground while other officers assisted arresting the suspect.
Chico PD says the officer was seriously injured but expects he will recover fully.
Owens was transported to Butte County Jail.
