By Larry Alexander
Intelligencer Journal/New Era
LANCASTER, Pa. — What began as a child-custody matter, police say, ended with two officers assaulted and a city man behind bars.
Robert Paul Horst, 39, of 523 Manor St., was charged with assaulting the officers, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct Monday after he punched officers Michael Hagen and Jonathan Reppert numerous times and caused an 8-inch-long scrape to Reppert’s right forearm.
“It started out as a civil matter,” Lancaster police Lt. Todd Umstead said Wednesday. “It wasn’t even really a police issue. Then (Horst) went out of control.”
According to police, while officers were at the scene, Horst exited his home and walked down the center of the 500 block of Manor Street, blocking traffic and shouting profanities at police.
Horst ignored police warnings to get out of the street and was told by Hagen that he was under arrest. Hagen took Horst by the arm, but Horst yanked free, police allege.
He pulled free during several more attempts to subdue him, then struck Hagen and Reppert numerous times with a closed fist, injuring Reppert, who was treated by emergency medical personnel.
Horst finally was subdued using OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, commonly called pepper spray, and police stun guns, police said.
He was committed to Lancaster County Prison on $50,000 bail.
Copyright 2010 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.