Dacula Burglar Attacked Officer With His Own Baton: Police

DACULA, GA -- A burglary suspect was arrested early Wednesday morning in Dacula, after striking a police officer in the face several times with the officer's own baton, authorities say.

David Gill, 25, has been booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center on multiple charges stemming from a burglary, foot chase and fight with the officer.

Shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday, an officer noticed a man walking down Winder Highway in Dacula carrying a duffle bag. Officers had responded to a burglary at a nearby business earlier, so the officer tried to make contact with the man.

When the man, who police say was Gill, saw the patrol car, he began running away, Gwinnett County Police said in a news release.

The officer chased him on foot and caught him behind a building on Village Broad Street. There, as the officer tried to control the suspect, a struggle broke out and the officer's baton became dislodged.

Police say Gill picked up the baton and hit the officer in the face several times, causing him to bleed profusely, become dizzy and have trouble seeing the suspect.

However, the officer still was able to pull his handgun and order the suspect onto the ground.

Gill dropped the baton and sat on the ground, police say. When more officers arrived, he was taken into custody.

Both the officer and Gill were taken to the hospital. The officer received 10 staples in his head and is believed to have suffered a concussion. He was released from Gwinnett Medical Center later Wednesday morning.

Gill was treated for a cut on his hand he said happened earlier in the day.

"This case is a clear illustration of the inherent dangers that police officers face while protecting the life and property of the citizens in Gwinnett County," Gwinnett County Police spokesman Cpl. Deon Washington said. "If a person is willing to offer violence to a police officer in uniform he is a grave danger to the community. The training, perseverance, and teamwork of the officers led to a dangerous person being apprehended."

After the arrest, police say they were able to link Gill to a burglary at the Fast Trip convenience store at 2115 Winder Highway.

Video surveillance showed Gill, wearing the same clothes he had on when he was arrested, walking across the parking lot shortly before 2 a.m., throwing a rock through the store window and climbing through the window to steal several cartons of cigarettes and lighters.

Police say Gill also gave a false name and date of birth to police. He had several outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions, they said.

Gill faces charges including aggravated assault against a law-enforcement officer, felony obstruction of a law-enforcement officer, possession of a weapon during a crime, giving a false name to law enforcement and burglary.

(Photo courtesy of Gwinnett County Police Department)