Big Idea

• Prescott Police Officers responded to the area of SR 89A and Granite Dells Parkway upon reports of a reckless driver
• Reports indicated that the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed
• The gas pump hose was still attached to the car
• Upon seeing weapons, the officers attempted to escort him from the car, at which time he resisted
  
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 After punching the officer, the driver was taken down and subsequently arrested

On February 6, 2023, at approximately 12:25 A.M. Prescott Police Officers responded to the area of State Route 89A and Granite Dells Parkway upon the report of a reckless driver heading west on State Route 89A. Additional information advised that the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed with a gas pump hose still attached to the fill location on the vehicle.

As officers arrived in the area, they located the vehicle on Granite Dells Parkway and performed a traffic stop. Upon contacting the driver, he was asked if he had any weapons on his person or in the vehicle. The driver told officers that he did not. Officer subsequently asked the driver to exit his vehicle to continue with the investigation. 

As the driver exited his vehicle, officers observed an approximate 10-inch Bowie style knife, unsheathed next to the driver seat. The driver was escorted away from his vehicle so officers could speak with him regarding the situation. While doing so, the driver attempted to walk back to his vehicle several times against officers’ orders. As an officer attempted to stop him, the driver punched the officer with a closed fist in the chest. The driver was subsequently taken to the ground where he continued to actively resist officers and bit another officer on the leg. The driver was eventually restrained and taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect was identified as 59-year-old Phoenix Resident, Darren Runyon. A subsequent search of Runyon’s vehicle revealed several other large knives. Runyon was investigated for possible impaired driving; however, officers did not observe any signs of physical impairment.  

Runyon was arrested and booked into the Yavapai County Jail on charges of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Misconduct Involving Weapons. Thankfully, the officers were not seriously injured in the assault.