Barrie police say a suspect is facing charges after random assaults on people downtown.
Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, officers responded to a report of a person in the area of Dunlop Street East causing a disturbance and engaging in unprovoked assaults on pedestrians, including placing several people in headlocks and damaging personal property.
As officers arrived on the scene, police say the individual tossed a small plastic bag containing a suspected drug onto the street.
"When police attempted to make an arrest, the individual resisted and fled on foot," police stated in a news release. "Following a brief pursuit, officers caught up with the suspect, and a struggle ensued. During the arrest, an officer was struck in the face while the individual continued to resist arrest."
The suspect was eventually handcuffed.
Police said the substance that was seized is suspected to be cocaine and has been submitted for further analysis.
A 41-year-old Barrie man has been charged with causing a disturbance, possession of cocaine, assaulting a peace officer with intent to resist arrest, and failing to comply with a probation order.
The accused was held for a bail hearing.
