Arrest made after man assaults, spits on police officer in Niagara Falls

A 45-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly assaulted two police officers in Niagara Falls.

Police say an officer pulled over a suspected impaired driver in the area of Lundy’s Lane and Kalar Rd. around 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

While standing at the side of the road with the driver, a man with no connection to the traffic stop approached the officer.

“The unknown man began to video record, yell, and swear at the officer,” said Niagara police in a news release. “The man was cautioned against obstructing the impaired investigation and told to move back.”

Police say the man then suddenly spat in the officer’s face.

The officer told the man he was under arrest but he fled to the other side of the intersection.

When additional officers arrived on scene, the man was handcuffed but continued to struggle and refused to go inside the police cruiser.

Police say officers eventually got him into the backseat where he fought to keep the doors open and then proceeded to kick one of the officers in the chest.

He was transported to the Niagara Regional Police Service Prisoner Management Unit in Niagara Falls.

Police say the officers involved were not injured during the interaction.

William Prentice, of Niagara Falls, has been arrested and charged with obstruct police officers, resist arrest, break of probation and two counts of assault peace officer.