San Gabriel man arrested after struggle with Burbank police officer

A San Gabriel man was arrested Friday night after he allegedly tried to remove a Burbank police officer’s gun from its holster during an “intense” struggle.

At about 11 p.m. Friday, the officer was traveling northbound on Clybourn Avenue at Hatteras Street when he saw a man “standing in the middle of the roadway holding two bags,” Lt. Eduardo Ruiz said. 

As the officer approached in his patrol car, the man, 38-year-old Erik Alan, allegedly didn’t move.
When the officer walked up, Alan allegedly pulled out a “dark object” from his pocket, Ruiz said. Fearing it was a weapon, the officer, who was not identified, grabbed his wrist and ordered him to drop the object, later identified as a smoking pipe. 

After the pipe was dropped, a struggle ensued as the officer attempted to arrest Alan because he allegedly failed to comply with orders to put his hands behind his back, Ruiz said.

After they fell to the ground “several times,” Alan allegedly tried to the gun out of its holster, but was overpowered and arrested, Ruiz said.

The 23-year-old officer was transported to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center to treat a bruised shoulder, as was Alan, who suffered minor abrasions to his elbows and knees, Ruiz said. 

Alan was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to remove a peace officer’s weapon, resisting an executive officer and for an outstanding burglary warrant.

-- Maria Hsin, Times Community News

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