Phoenix man accused of punching, biting Prescott officers during traffic stop

Police arrested 59-year-old Darren Runyon of Phoenix on aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and misconduct involving weapons.(Prescott Police Department)
Published: Feb. 6, 2023 at 3:25 PM MST|Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 5:10 PM MST

PRESCOTT, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Officers in Prescott have arrested a man from Phoenix after he allegedly punched and bit officers during a traffic stop on Monday.

In a statement, Prescott Police said an officer noticed 59-year-old Darren Runyon speeding with a gas pump hose still attached to his car near the area of State Route 89A and Granite Dells Parkway just before 12:30 a.m.

State Route 89A and Granite Dells Parkway -- Prescott, AZ(AZFamily)

Officers pulled Runyon over for possible drunk driving and asked if he had any weapons. Runyon told police he didn’t, but officers saw a knife beside the driver’s seat. Police tried speaking to Runyon, but investigators said he tried to walk back to his car several times. As an officer attempted to stop him, police say Runyon punched him in the chest. Another officer tackled him to the ground, and he bit another officer in the leg, investigators said. Police were eventually able to take him into custody.

Investigators searched Runyon’s car and found several large knives. Police say he wasn’t impaired while driving. He was booked on aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and misconduct involving weapons. No officers were seriously hurt.