Man arrested after reportedly hitting officer with gun

Prescott Valley police arrested a man Monday after he reportedly admitted to striking an officer in the head with a gun during his arrest.

Officers booked Jack Richard Cline, 22, of Prescott Valley into the Yavapai County Jail in Camp Verde on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, weapons misconduct - prohibited possessor, using or possessing a weapon during the commission of a felony, and a misdemeanor count of criminal damage.

At 2 a.m., officers answered a call about a disorderly suspect near Robert and Valley roads. A K-9 officer saw a man, later identified as Cline, walking near doctors' offices in the 3100 block of Windsong Drive, said Sgt. Brandon Bonney, spokesman for the Prescott Valley Police Department.

Cline ran from the officer who caught him a short time later, and struck the officer in the head with a handgun during his arrest, Bonney said.

When the officer searched Cline, he found several knives, a hammer, and other tools, Bonney said.

Cline told police he struck the officer in the head with the handgun, Bonney said. Cline also said he ran from the officer because he was on parole, thought there was a warrant out for his arrest, and had a gun with him, Bonney said.

Officers learned the handgun had been stolen in a previous burglary in Prescott Valley, and they are investigating Cline's involvement in other crimes, Bonney said.

The officer was treated and released from the Yavapai Regional Medical Center with minor injuries including a possible concussion, Bonney said.