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Man arrested after assaulting police officer at SLC gas station, authorities say

Posted at 3:39 PM, Sep 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-26 17:39:56-04
Tiafaaofo Gatoloai

Tiafaaofo Gatoloai

SALT LAKE CITY – A 22-year-old was arrested after assaulting a police officer at a gas station over the weekend, authorities confirmed Monday.

The incident occurred Sept. 24 at 5:24 p.m. at a Shell gas station, 1699 W. North Temple, when Tiaffaaofo Gatoloai started eating food from the convenience store and refused to pay for it, according to a probable cause statement.

The officer attempted to arrest Gatoloai when the suspect charged him, picked him up and threw him on the floor, the probable cause statement indicates.

The suspect then allegedly hit the officer with a closed fist. The gas station clerk and officer continued to fight the suspect until the officer was able to deploy his Taser and take him into custody, according to authorities.

Gatoloai was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of theft, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.

He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance when a white crystal substance, found in Gatoloai’s wallet, field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the probable cause statement.