MAN ARRESTED FOR PUNCHING OFFICER

After punching a narcotics officer early Friday, a 21-year-old Cape Girardeau man was arrested by police.

Derek Ray Harper had been stopped in the north 800 block of Kingshighway shortly after midnight on Friday when a police officer noticed him, Cpl. Rick Schmidt said. The patrolman decided to investigate Harper as a possible suspect in numerous burglaries that have occurred over the past month, Schmidt said.

As the officer spoke with Harper, two members of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force came to the scene. Based on their conversation, it was apparent that Harper knew one of the narcotics officers, Schmidt said.

The suspect then punched the narcotics officer in the shoulder. After being handcuffed, he attempted to headbutt the narcotics officer.

Harper was charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer. He is being held in the Cape Girardeau City Jail on a $5,000 bond.