According to a MPD press release, on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at approximately 12:30AM a Mattoon Police Department officer made a traffic stop at 19th and DeWitt. Upon the officer approaching the vehicle on the driver side the suspect later identified as Nicholas Lindley age 24 of Mattoon, fled from the vehicle by exiting the passenger door.
The officer gave chase and attempted to apprehend Mr. Lindley approximately a block and half away from the original stop. Mr. Lindley refused to obey the officers’ command and became combative. During the course of the struggle Mr. Lindley made several attempts to disarm the officer by grabbing the officer holster an attempting to remove his duty firearm from it. After failing to remove his gun from the Officers holster Mr. Lindley was able to gain control of the officers 24 inch Maglite. He then turned the Maglite on the officer and struck him approximately three times in the head rendering the officer dazed and confused and unable to complete the arrest. Mr. Lindley then fled and was later apprehended by other Mattoon officers without further incident.
Nicholas C D Lindley
At the scene of the altercation a firearm was recovered that had allegedly fallen out of Mr. Lindley’s pants during the officers attempt to take him into custody. Drug paraphernalia and a fairly substantial amount of methamphetamine was also seized at the time of the arrest.
Both Mr. Lindley and the Mattoon officer were transported by the Mattoon Fire Department to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. The Mattoon officer was treated and released with his head injuries and off duty recovering at home, however Mr. Lindley was admitted for issues not related to the arrest.
The Coles County States Attorney’s office issued a warrant for Mr. Lindley’s arrest on Thursday, April 14th and charged him with aggravated battery and attempting to disarming a peace officer. Bond was set at $750,000.
