Indiana man arrested on 2 felony counts

A Bloomington man was arrested on two felony counts after fighting with an officer and striking him with brass knuckles around 9 p.m. Saturday night near the Old State Road 37 and North Walnut Street intersection.\nJason Nichols, 31, was also being sought by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for reportedly hitting his girlfriend with the brass knuckles just shortly before the altercation with Bloomington Police Department officer Jeff Rodgers.\nBoth Rodgers and Nichols went to Bloomington Hospital for injuries, but were released after being treated, said BPD Lt. Daniel Carnes, reading from a police report.\nRodgers was driving southbound on North Walnut Street to begin his shift when he saw a man who appeared to be intoxicated. The man was walking on the edge of the road halting traffic just north of the North Walnut and Old State Road 37 intersection.\nAccording to Rodgers’ report, he pulled his vehicle over and attempted to call the man out of the road.\nNichols finally approached Rodgers and was argumentative with the officer. When Nichols reached for his ID, Rodgers saw dried blood on his face. Before he could ask any questions, Nichols struck the officer in the face with his right hand, knocking him back.\nA physical altercation then ensued between the two men for several minutes, which at one point took them into the middle of the street.\nRodger’s report said that although they were almost hit by oncoming vehicles several times, no one stopped to help the officer.\nAt some point during the fight, Rodgers was able to radio for emergency assistance. Indiana University Police Department and BPD officers responded and found Rodgers on top of the suspect on the shoulder of the road, pinning his right arm to his side but not yet in handcuffs.\nOfficers then saw Nichols throw the brass knuckles into the street. This was the first time Rodgers knew that the suspect was using them.\nNichols was taken into custody by the assisting officers.\nAn ambulance arrived and Rodgers was taken to the Bloomington Hospital emergency department where he was treated for injuries, including multiple lacerations to the face. Rodgers’ shirt was also torn, and his right eye was beginning to swell shut.\nNichols refused treatment at the scene and was taken to the hospital and treated for lacerations to the face and hand.\nNichols was subsequently released and charged with battery with a deadly weapon, a Class C felony; resisting officers, a Class D felony; disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor; and public intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor.