San Diego

A man suspected of assaulting a police officer last week in Balboa Park is being held at the County Jail in El Cajon after allegedly causing a disturbance at a bar, police said.

Earl Lester Walters, 28, was arrested before midnight Saturday at Spanky’s Bar in the 2800 block of Midway Drive in San Diego after reports that he pushed the manager of the bar.

Police arriving at the scene identified Walters as the man suspected of assaulting Officer Larry Roser about 5:30 a.m. Friday near the Starlight Bowl.

According to police reports, Roser approached a man believed to be a burglary suspect when the man, who had several radios in his possession, hit Roser in the face, took his flashlight and struck him in the head with it four or five times.

Roser sprayed Mace at the man, who dropped the radios and the flashlight as he ran away, police said.

Walters was taken to the El Cajon jail because of overcrowding at County Jail downtown and was booked on suspicion of assault on an officer, battery on an officer, battery and robbery, jail officials said.

He is being held in lieu of $8,500 bail.

Roser was treated at Mercy Hospital and released Friday.