A Baxter County man has been arrested after allegedly trying to fight an officer while resisting arrest. Forty-three-year-old Patrick Randall Vanassche is facing multiple felony charges for the incident, including drug charges.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Baxter County Sheriffs Office, a deputy was patrolling County Road 900 and was stationary at the intersection of CR 900 and Highway 178. The deputy observed a white van turn left and identified the driver as Vanassche. Believing Vanassche had a suspended license, the deputy ran his information and confirmed he not only had a suspended license but also an active warrant out of Marion County.
The deputy located Vanassche’s vehicle at a Dollar General in Midway, parked next to it. When Vanassche exited the store, the deputy informed him of his warrant and ordered him to place his hands behind his back. As Vanassche walked toward his vehicle, the deputy grabbed his left arm and repeated the command. Vanassche then tensed up and attempted to pull away.
According to the report, Vanassche tried to pull a knife from his pocket. The deputy used his right leg to push him forward, causing him to fall to the ground. While Vanassche continued reaching for the knife, the deputy got on top of him. After a brief struggle, the deputy gained control of Vanassche’s right arm, causing the knife which was open with the blade exposed to fall out of his pocket. The deputy used his knee to push the weapon further away.
Vanassche was eventually restrained and placed under arrest. During a search, the deputy found a glass pipe containing a white and clear substance. A second deputy arrived and discovered an orange prescription bottle with white and blue pills, along with a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance.
Vanassche was taken to the emergency room for evaluation of possible head and neck injuries but was found to be uninjured. He was then booked into the Baxter County Jail and later released on a $15,000 bond.
He faces five felony drug possession charges, a felony count of second-degree battery, misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest, and a penalty enhancement for repeat offenses.
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