Traffic stop leads to altercation, arrest

A Porterville man who police say assaulted police officers during a traffic stop was arrested Wednesday.

The incident happened at 5:49 p.m. in the 1800 block of South Newcomb Street, near the Porterville Municipal Airport. The Porterville Police Department reports that an officer spotted a stolen car traveling in the area and stopped the vehicle. The officer contacted the driver, identified by police as 32-year-old Hector Pena Jr., who was alone in the car.

Police said Pena ignored the officer’s commands to keep his hands up and visible.

When assisting officers arrived, Pena reportedly became more aggressive and refused to follow orders given by the officers, police said.

Officers unsuccessfully tased Pena to try to control him and Pena continued to resist arrest and physically assaulted the officers as they tried to restrain him, police said.

One of the officers was injured as a result of the assault, as was Pena.

After Pena was taken into custody, he was taken to Sierra View District Hospital where he was treated for injuries he received during the struggle.

Police determined Pena was under the influence of drugs.

He was later taken to the Tulare County Jail where he was booked on suspicion of threats or violence against an officer, auto theft and for being under the influence of drugs.