May 3, 2013 2 min read

A Canonsburg man already wanted on a probation violation is now facing more charges after allegedly scuffling with borough police as they tried to take him into custody early Friday.

Police Sgt. Don Cross said police have been looking for Devaugn A. Johnson, 22, of 222 E. Pitt St., on the warrant since earlier this year. Johnson also is considered a suspect in the theft of a backpack containing a wallet a few weeks ago from the skate park area of Canonsburg Town Park, police said.

About 1:50 a.m., Officer James Eckels saw Johnson get out of a van and go into a convenience store off Euclid Avenue. Eckels knew there was a warrant for him and that he was wanted for questioning in the theft, so he watched the store until Cross and Officer Carl Fetcko arrived as backup.

Before the other two officers arrived, Johnson left the store and started walking east on Adams Avenue. Fetcko and Cross found him walking near the White Eagles club and asked him to come over to their cruiser. When the offiers told Johnson there was a warrant for his arrest, he allegedly became combative.

As they were wrestling with Johnson on the ground while trying to take him into custody, Johnson slipped out of his jacket and ran east on Adams. Eckels gave chase and used his Taser to take Johnson into custody near a wooded area off Adams.

When police retrieved Johnson’s jacket from the middle of the road, they said they found a bag of suspected marijuana inside.

Fetcko and Cross suffered abrasions, and Eckels bruised his knee when it hit a pipe railing during the foot chase.

Johnson was placed in the Washington County jail on the probation warrant. Charges pending against Johnson include aggravated assault, resisting arrest, flight to avoid apprehension and theft. He will be arraigned later before District Judge David Mark.