Police: Man attacked trooper, tried to flee I-80 traffic stop

A Cleveland man is in custody after he allegedly assaulted a state trooper while trying to flee a traffic stop Sunday morning in Monroe County.

The 37-year-old man, who police did not identify, was transported to the state police station in Stroudsburg and charged with felony aggravated assault on an officer; fighting to avoid arrest; illegal possession of a firearm; reckless endangerment; and resisting arrest.

The trooper, who also was not identified, sustained a minor injury, state police said. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono in East Stroudsburg, where he was treated and released.

According to state police: Atrooper fromtheStroudsburg barracks pulled the man over at 9:07a.m. along Interstate 80westbound in Tobyhanna Township.

During the stop, the trooper requested the manexitthevehicle for further questioning. Whilethe trooper and the man spoke at the rear of the vehicle, the man indicated he needed his jacket from the vehicle.

Despite commands from the trooper, the man reentered his vehicle. The trooper then tried to remove the man from the vehicle, but the manput the vehicle in drive and tried to flee.

While“physically engagedwith the operator” in the vehicle, the trooper forced the vehicle off the road and into woods.

Whilethere, the mancontinued to resist the trooper’s attempts to take him into custody. Another trooper then deployed his Taser, allowing for the man to be taken into custody.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

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