Man charged after alleged assault on officers during disturbance

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MARION, Ill., (KBSI) — A Marion man is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting police officers during a disturbance Thursday morning, according to the Marion Police Department.

Officers were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. March 26 to The Promise on West Main Street for a report of a man making threats toward staff and visitors. The suspect, identified as Travis M. Owens, 39, of Marion, left the scene but was later reported making similar threats at the Marion Ministerial Alliance on East Calvert Street.

Police said an officer located Owens at the second location and attempted to issue trespass warnings and have him leave the property. Owens allegedly refused multiple commands and became increasingly confrontational.

When officers attempted to arrest him, Owens resisted and struggled with officers. Authorities said during the encounter he bit one officer’s hand, causing a break in the skin, and grabbed another officer’s wrist, resulting in a laceration. Police also said Owens attempted to take a department-issued Taser.

Officers used verbal commands, a Taser and physical force to take Owens into custody, officials said.

Owens was transported to the Williamson County Jail and faces charges including two counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer, aggravated assault of a peace officer, disarming a peace officer, resisting arrest, threatening a public official, trespass and disorderly conduct.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.