A transient was arrested for assaulting a police officer and narcotics paraphernalia near the southbound 5 Freeway exit ramp at Scott Rd. on Saturday afternoon, January 11. It took three police officers to subdue and arrest George Tristan, age 39, after he started punching and fighting with officers.
Tristan was initially contacted at 12:43 p.m. by officers in the area for possession of a shopping cart. As officers approached, one noticed Tristan lighting a possible narcotic pipe near his face, according to Sgt. Darin Ryburn of the Burbank Police Department. Tristan then admitted he was urinating in the bushes when the officer stopped him.
The officer searched the area where Tristan was standing and recovered a pipe consistent with narcotic use and another officer observed from nearby. As the officer attempted to arrest the supect for possession of the pipe, Tristan swung at the officer with a closed fist. During the following struggle, the officer ended up on the ground with the suspect on top of him.
The suspect continued to throw punches at the officer while on top of him. Additional officers arrived and three officers were eventually able to place Tristan in handcuffs. Although a K-9 unit was on hand, the dog was not deployed. The suspect received facial cuts during the struggle, was treated and booked at the Burbank Jail for assault on a police officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and an LAPD warrant. His bail is set at $25,000 and he is due in court Tuesday, January 14.
One officer sustained injuries from the struggle, including a contusion to his head and abrasions to his right elbow and knees. He was treated at the scene.
