Detroit Man Faces Felony Charges After Punching, Biting Macomb Police Officer

MACOMB (WWJ) -- A Detroit man faces two felony charges after assaulting a police officer and fleeing on foot while being targeted for retail fraud on Saturday.

James Gist, 21, was charged with assaulting, resisting, obstructing or causing injury to a police officer along with a first-degree retail fraud charge.

Officers were dispatched to the Target on Hall Road where they were advised that a retail fraud suspect fled the store and ran into a Home Depot, according to a Target security guard.

While searching for the suspect at Home Depot, a deputy located Gist and attempted to take him into custody. Gist resisted arrest, bit and punched the officer and fled the scene.

Gist then ran into a condominium complex where someone saw him enter an unlocked van. Police later found him hiding in the van and he was arrested without further incident.

The officer was treated for his injuries and is back out on patrol.