Lafayette

Lafayette police arrested a man for dragging a law enforcement officer with his car, across the parking lot of a local convenience store.  State DNR Conservation Ranger Tim Gilbreath complained of shoulder pain after the incident, but after being checked by EMT's, he was not transported for treatment. The incident, reported happened just before 3 p.m. Thursday. DNR Officer Gilbreath was on the lot at the West Main Street Kangaroo Store, when a man drove in playing loud music and using profanity. The officer approached the man and politely asked him to turn down the music and be respectful of customers entering and exiting the store. The suspect, 40-year-old Christopher Thornton, questioned the DNR officer's authority. When Gilbreath asked to see the man's ID, he held it up, inside the car. Gilbreath reached inside to take the ID, and Thornton allegedly grabbed the officer's arm and sped off, dragging him outside the car for 30-40 feet. Gilbreath got free and initiated a chase in his own vehicle, but lost the suspect. Lafayette police located Thornton about 10 minutes later at a relative's house on Webb Wheeler Road, where he was arrested without incident. He was booked into the Walker County Jail. The state is expected to charges, including a felony count of aggravated assault against a law officer and fleeing.