Transient accused of injuring Olympia police officer during arrest

Bail was set at $5,000 for a transient who has been accused of injuring an Olympia police officer during his arrest.

John Anthony Chacon, 37, appeared Monday in Thurston County Superior Court on a charge of third-degree assault. Arraignment is set for March 1.

Court documents give the following account:

Police encountered Chacon on Feb. 16 at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, while responding to a call about a man smoking marijuana in an upstairs restroom. In the 911 call, Chacon was described as having “violent energy.”

An officer informed Chacon that he had to leave the center and would be arrested if he returned, to which Chacon replied, “I will see you tomorrow.”

On Feb. 17, officers responded to a complaint that Chacon was trespassing at the facility. Police handcuffed Chacon and were escorting him from the building when he dropped to the ground and told officers, “Just drag me.”

As officers tried to get him into the patrol car, Chacon blocked the door with his body and started pushing back. Officers took Chacon to the ground, where he refused to cooperate.

One officer “delivered a knee strike to the meaty part of Chacon’s right outer thigh” in an attempt to move him. As the officer prepared to deliver another “knee strike,” Chacon kneed the officer on the inside edge of his right knee. The blow dislocated the officer’s knee, which was locked at a 90-degree angle, according to documents.

Lt. Paul Lower confirmed Officer Jeff Davis, who is a downtown walking patrol officer, is undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury.

“What we do anticipate is that he’ll have some long rehabilitation therapy, no matter what,” Lower told The Olympian. “He’s likely going to be assigned to light-duty work for six to nine weeks while he gets better.”

Chacon has prior felony convictions in Lewis County for crimes including malicious harassment, criminal trespass and burglary.

At Monday’s preliminary hearing, deputy prosecutor Olivia Zhou said Chacon refused to come to court twice last week.

Chacon told the court Monday that he planned to represent himself.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Transient accused of injuring Olympia police officer during arrest."