GAINESVILLE, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A Gainesville man is behind bars after police said he assaulted an officer last week.
It happened at the Home Towne Suites on Jesse Jewell Parkway. According to police, Gainesville officers first made contact last Thursday, February 14, with suspect Eric Pitts at the extended stay after the property's managers asked that he be issued a criminal trespass warning and to no longer return to the Home Towne Suites.
Two days later, on February 16, officers were called back to the Home Towne Suites after reports of Pitts being back on the property.
Officer Stephen Lucius responded to the scene and tried to arrest the suspect for criminal trespass, but he was "met with violent resistance."
Investigators said Pitts struck the officer on the head multiple times with Lucius' handcuffs, causing a cut to his head.
Back-up officers eventually arrived on scene and Pitts was arrested. He was then taken to the Hall County Jail.