Two Wilkes-Barre police officers assaulted by drunken driver

WILKES-BARRE — A city police officer sustained a possible broken nose and another officer was punched in the face while arresting a suspected drunken driver early Sunday morning.

The incident happened on South Main Street near Ross Street when officers Daniel Roper and Erica Oswald stopped Steven Santiago, 33, for driving a vehicle without headlights.

During the traffic stop, Santiago exhibited signs of intoxication and was asked to exit his vehicle. While standing near the back of his car, Santiago refused to submit to a breath test, according to the criminal complaint.

Santiago admitted he consumed alcoholic beverages before he was stopped by police, the complaint says.

Police allege in the complaint as officer Daniel Roper handcuffed one of Santiago’s wrists, Santiago pulled away and swung nearly striking Roper.

Santiago ran onto South Main Street, where he struggled with Roper and Oswald, the complaint says.

Police said Santiago got up off the ground and tried to run away falling on his back on the hood of his vehicle. Oswald deployed a Taser that was ineffective due to clothing worn by Santiago, according to the complaint.

Santiago struck Roper in the face and was taken to the ground during a scuffle. Santiago stood up and shoved Oswald against a building before striking Oswald in the face that possibly broke the officer’s nose, the complaint says.

Roper was able to get Santiago away from Oswald by taking him to the ground where he was stunned by a Taser.

Security at Wilkes University assisted the two officers in securing Santiago, police said.

Santiago was treated at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for undisclosed injuries.

A message to city spokesperson Liza Prokop to learn if Roper and Oswald required medical treatment was not immediately returned Monday afternoon.

Santiago was arraigned by District Judge Michael Dotzel in Wilkes-Barre Township on two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest and harassment, and one count each of disorderly conduct, driving under the influence and driving a vehicle without headlights at night.

He remained jailed Monday at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $50,000 bail.