Suspected thief jailed after assaulting police officer

A Lindsay man was arrested Sunday after allegedly stealing a compact disc from a Porterville music store and later attacking a police officer during an unrelated traffic stop.

Porterville police received a call at 3:15 p.m. Sunday about a theft that had just occurred at Music Trend, 1122 W. Henderson Ave. Just prior to the call, Officer James Gong had made a traffic stop on Prospect Street, just north of Henderson Avenue, on a motorcyclist for not wearing a helmet.

During the traffic stop, police report the driver was not able to produce a driver’s license. He reportedly identified himself at Michael Campbell, and said he had gone to Music Trend to buy a compact disc. Police said Campbell also appeared intoxicated.

As Gong was questioning Campbell, the Porterville Police Department received the theft call from Music Trend and learned Campbell was the suspected thief.

Campbell, 34, reportedly became violent while being arrested, allegedly making threats, resisting arrest and assaulting Gong.

He was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Jail on suspicion of assault on a peace officer, making threats against a peace officer, burglary, driving under the influence and for violation of parole.