SOAP LAKE, Wash. – A man was arrested and taken to Grant County Jail and held without bail following an incident where police said he assaulted a Soap Lake Police Department officer on Wednesday night.
Derek M. Clark, 30, was at a home on 25 Elder Street North allegedly causing a disturbance when Officer Justin Rowland responded.
While investigating, Rowland found probable cause to arrest Clark for a previous offense. Police said Clark became aggressive with Rowland grabbing his throat twice, punching him in the face multiple times and gouging his left eye with his thumb.
Bystanders witnessing the incident stepped in to help Rowland arrest Clark. Grant County deputies and the Ephrata Police Department arrived on the scene in response to the attack and treated him for injuries before he was taken to the hospital.
Clark was medically cleared at the scene and was taken to jail. He faces charges of second-degree assault, resisting arrest and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Further felony charges related to the initial investigation are anticipated throughout the investigation.
