A 19-year-old Penn State student knocked two police officers to the ground early Sunday morning, facing pepper spray and blows from police batons in what began as a public urination call.
Penn State student Michael E. Zebrowski, 19, posted $25,000 bail Sunday and now faces three felony counts of aggravated assault, among other charges, the State College Police Department said.
His arrest marked a departure from the norm for State College policing, officers said.
"It's pretty rare to use the baton," Sgt. Greg Brauser said. "I've never used it in my 12 years here."
Sgt. B.C. Smith and Officer Charles Hamilton approached Zebrowski, 351 E. Fairmount Ave., at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday after they noticed him leaning against a car and urinating on a fraternity lawn somewhere on the 400 block of Elk Alley, police said. They did not release the name of the fraternity.
The officers shined their bicycle lights on him and he said "Wow" while urinating, police said. They asked him for identification, and although he reached in his rear pocket, he never showed them identification, police said.
Attempting to arrest him, officers grabbed his shirt, spun him around and pinned him on the ground, police said. Swinging his elbows, Zebrowski was pepper-sprayed twice and then struck with the police baton several times, continuing to kick and throw elbows, police said.
The officers were knocked to the ground in a scuffle that lasted several minutes, police said.
Smith suffered minor injuries to his knees and was struck in the face, while Hamilton received an abrasion on his left shin. Zebrowski had a small scratch on his chin and felt pain in his right calf and knee.
No one was treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center in relation to the incident, police said.
Zebrowski did not respond to requests for comment as of press time Sunday.
Zebrowski is also charged with three counts of simple assault, three counts of harassment, one count of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, underage drinking and criminal mischief, police said.
He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Nov. 25, police said.
