Spat on by suspect, NLR lawmen report

A North Little Rock man spit on police officers while being arrested on New Year’s Day, according to a police report.

Joseph Hopper, 31, was grabbing himself and yelling obscenities outside a North Little Rock Wal-Mart, at 4450 McCain Blvd., about 8 p.m. when he was

approached by officers, the report said. Hopper told police his name was a slang term referencing his genitals, the report said.

When asked for identification, Hopper pretended to look through his wallet even though officers could see the identification through a clear holder, police said. Officers discovered Hopper had a felony arrest warrant for second-degree forgery and tried to arrest him, the report said.

Hopper would not follow the officers’ repeated instructions, the report said. When placed in the back of the patrol car, police said, Hopper tried to kick out the window of the vehicle and would not stop when asked three times by officers.

Hopper was pepper-sprayed, the report said. While being treated by paramedics, Hopper spit at officers and hit one officer in the hair and two others on their uniforms, police said.

Hopper was arrested and taken to the Pulaski County jail on three counts of aggravated assault upon an employee of a correction facility, resisting arrest and public intoxication.

He was also being held on charges of second-degree forgery and failure to appear. He was still listed on the jail’s roster Saturday night.