The Regional Park N' Ride transit terminal. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Man arrested after allegedly assaulting police officer at downtown Park N’ Ride

Dec 6, 2019 | 12:30 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Police have arrested a man that they say assaulted one of their officers.

At approximately 4:40 pm, on Thursday, Sgt. Jason Carrier says they received a call from the Lethbridge Public Library that someone had their cell phone stolen.

A description of the suspect was provided to the attending officer, which lead him to the Regional Park N’ Ride transit terminal on fifth avenue.

“[The officer] went to apprehend that male and the male resisted. There was a struggle, our officer was assaulted, but we were able to take that male into custody as additional units arrived.”

Carrier says the officer received minor injuries in the assault but did not elaborate on the nature of the injuries.

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He adds that the suspect had several warrants out for his arrest.

“In my mind, he probably knew he had outstanding warrants and knew that he was in possession of stolen property and that’s why we were there. In his mind, and I’ll say, in his ‘chemically-induced mind’ at the time, he didn’t want to be taken into custody and that’s why the struggle ensued.

The Sgt. also talked about the recent incidents that have been occurring in the downtown area.

For the transit terminal, he says it is new, sheltered, and enclosed, so it sometimes gives people who are homeless a place to rest. Naturally, he tells LNN that this sometimes leads to altercations.

Casey Simonsen remains in custody and is awaiting a bail hearing on charges of resisting arrest, possession of stolen property, assaulting a police officer, and for outstanding warrants.