VIRGINIA MAN RESISTS ARREST CAUSING INJURY TO OFFICER

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James J. McKeown, 21, of Sterling Va., was charged with felony resisting arrest after fleeing from officers on the Boardwalk ending in an altercation in the area of Baltimore Avenue ultimately sending one officer to the hospital.

On Monday evening at around 11:30pm, a Rehoboth Beach police officer observed McKeown inside the Wilmington Avenue boardwalk pavilion in possession of what the officer suspected to be marijuana.  In addition to his observations, the officer also smelled the odor of marijuana.  Upon making these observations, the officer called for another officer to respond to the scene; however, prior to the arrival of back-up, McKeown fled north on the Boardwalk. 

McKeown led police officers on a foot chase that concluded when he ran through the back entrance of a restaurant, past employees, and hopped the front counter fleeing out the entrance onto the boardwalk.  At this point, in the area of Baltimore Avenue, an officer was able to tackle McKeown to the ground and take him into custody. 

During this altercation, the officer struck his head on the wood surrounding the foot washing station on the boardwalk resulting in a concussion.  The officer was transported to Beebe Health Campus and later released. 

McKeown was arrested and charged with 1 count of resisting arrest with force, a felony, 1 count of disorderly conduct, and 1 count of possession of marijuana.  Mckeown was released on a $2550.00 unsecured bail.

Presented by PIO Lt. Jaime B. Riddle.