A Brimfield man who scuffled with a Kent Police officer early Sunday morning – then ran away while handcuffed – is facing charges of assault, resisting arrest and escape.

Thomas C. Milton, 18, of 3551 Lawndale Drive, Brimfield, was arrested at 2:49 a.m. Sunday and charged with assault, a fourth-degree felony; escape, a third-degree felony, and resisting arrest, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Officer Marty Gilliland received a minor injury as a result of the incident that occurred near Papa John’s on East Main Street.

Kent Police Lt. Paul Canfield said officers responding to a report of a fight near the pizzeria “arrived to find several groups of people in the area, and one of the groups contained several people who were bloody.”

Canfield said officers began investigating the fight and that when Gilliland encountered Milton, who said he is a full-time student at the University of Akron, “Milton provided false information as to his identity.”

Milton shoved Gilliland, Canfield said, resulting in a charge of assault on a law enforcement officer. He said Gilliland then “restrained Milton, and Milton struck Officer Gilliland's arms in an attempt to break free,” which resulted in the resisting arrest charge.  A short time later, Milton was subdued and handcuffed.

While scuffling with Milton, Canfield said, Gilliland “bumped his knee. He reports that it was sore as a result of Milton's resistance and assault.”

Moments after he had been subdued, Canfield said, a handcuffed Milton stood up and fled northbound, resulting in the escape charge. He was re-captured near the intersection of North Willow Street and Crain Avenue after a short foot pursuit by officers.

A police report stated Milton had a scrape on the right side of his face and a swollen ankle. A Kent Fire Department EMS squad was called to check his injuries, but Milton refused treatment.

“It is believed that Milton sustained his injuries during the fight that prompted KPD response. Due to Milton's assault, resistance and lack of cooperation, KPD cannot confirm that,” Canfield said.

The police report stated Milton was “suspected of using” alcohol that night.

Police chose not to file additional charges of disorderly conduct and failure to comply with the order/signal of a police officer against Milton.

Canfield said Milton was released from jail on 10 percent of a $10,000 bond.

According to Portage County Court online records, Milton was arraigned Tuesday in Kent Municipal Court and a preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Friday before Judge Barbara Oswick.

Court records show Milton also has a pre-trial set for Feb. 1 on charges of operating a vehicle under the influence and underage consumption or possession of alcohol that were levied by Brimfield Police on Dec. 23.

On Nov. 18, Milton was found guilty of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, fined $400 and ordered to have no contact with Walmart. However, 87 days of the jail sentence and $250 of the fine were suspended.