Aurora Man Charged With Punching Cop To Avoid Pot Arrest

AURORA, Ill. (STMW) -- A west suburban Aurora man was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer Wednesday afternoon after police attempted to chase down several men believed to be using marijuana, the Beacon News reports.

Darrius T. Darden, 23, of the 1600 block of Indian Trail Road, was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, resisting arrest, marijuana possession and trespassing at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of Beckwith Street.

According to police, an officer responded to a call and found eight men standing in a driveway rolling a joint. They scattered, and an officer chased the men, four of whom ran into a house, police said.

Police said during the foot-chase, Darden punched an officer in the chest and slipped from his grasp, before later being caught and arrested.

None of the other men were apprehended, according to reports.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)