Police arrested a Marshalltown man in connection with a burglary to a home on South Center Street Monday morning.
Raul Vasquez-Rangel, 29, allegedly ran from the scene of an attempted home break-in just before 2 a.m.
Capt. Mike Hanken of the Marshalltown Police Department said officers checked the area following a report that someone had been skulking around outside and possibly attempting to gain entry into the home.
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Vasquez-Rangel
By the time police arrived, the suspect was nowhere to be found, but a pickup truck was suspiciously parked in a nearby alley. The responding officer decided to watch the area to see if anyone returned to the truck or the home.
Two hours later, Vasquez-Rangel returned to the truck, Hanken said. When confronted by the officer, Vasquez-Rangel allegedly ran. After a brief foot chase, the officer caught up to Vasquez-Rangel in the parking lot of the Church of the Nazarene.
Vasquez-Rangel then allegedly assaulted the officer by resisting arrest. During the struggle, the officer deployed his Taser and subdued Vasquez-Rangel, Hanken said.
The officer was unharmed by the struggle.
Vasquez-Rangel is charged with assault on a peace officer, possession of less than a gram of methamphetamine, serious misdemeanors, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with official acts, both simple misdemeanors.
Hanken said Vasquez-Rangel could face attempted burglary and trespassing charges if the MPD's investigation uncovers that he was involved in the attempted break-in.
The court released Vasquez-Rangel following his initial appearance Monday.