Man arrested in Idaho for alleged assault on officer in Gaslamp

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A San Diego man suspected of sucker-punching a police officer last week while dressed as Jesus Christ at a Gaslamp District Halloween street festival was behind bars today in Idaho, where he allegedly fled following the attack.

Eric Van Vleet, 24, will be extradited back to his hometown to face charges over the assault, which left the ambushed lawman dazed and suffering from a facial cut that required stitches, SDPD Lt. Dan Smyth said.

The crime occurred about 1 a.m. Friday, as the victim and fellow officers were trying to detain a drunk and combative partygoer who was behavi...