Man resists arrest, drags State Trooper with ATV

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From The Times Herald Record

Man resists arrest, drags trooper with ATV

July 15, 2007

A 27-year-old man dragged a trooper through a parking lot as he tried to flee on an all-terrain vehicle early this morning, police said.

At about 4 a.m., state troopers and Fallsburg police approached Gillian Trujillo, of Twin Bridge Road in the Town of Liberty, while he was stopped in the parking lot of Nina's Restaurant.

Police had received complaints of ATV riders driving erratically on Route 52.

At first, Trujillo stepped off the four-wheeler, but as troopers tried to take him into custody, he got back on the vehicle and attempted to flee.

Trooper Paul VanValkenburg's lower left leg got caught in the rear wheel of the ATV, but Trujillo continued to flee, police said. Somehow, though, VanValkenburg managed to take Trujillo to the ground, officials said.

VanValkenburg suffered abrasions and swelling to his leg and was treated at Catskill Regional Medical Center. He is expected back on duty soon.

Trujillo was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, and driving while intoxicated, a felony because of previous DWI convictions, police said.

He was also charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Trujillo was arraigned in Fallsburg Town Court and sent to Sullivan County Jail on $25,000 bail.