A Vian man was charged Nov. 16 with assault and battery upon a police officer and eluding a police officer after a scuffle broke out during a routine traffic stop.

According to the report, at 12:50 a.m. on Oct. 23, Vian Police Officer Eric Cope pulled over a Mercury Grand Marquis with a tag lamp out. Cope reported four males occupied the vehicle and only one passenger was able to give him an identification card. Cope asked each person for their name and went back to his patrol car to radio for a name check.

A felony warrant for arrest came back for one of the passengers, Amos Gary Wright Jr., 26 of Vian. Cope asked Wright to step out of the vehicle and place his hands where he could see them. He told Wright he was under arrest because the city of Vian had a warrant for his arrest. Cope reported Wright stepped out of the vehicle with his hands above his head and he was holding a cigarette.

Cope asked Wright to dispose of the cigarette and when Wright threw the cigarette down Cope closed the door of the vehicle. According to the report as Cope closed the door, Wright shoved Cope backward and attempted to run away. Cope grabbed Wright by the neck of his jacket and placed Wright on the ground. Wright and Cope struggled because Wright kept shoving Cope away. Cope said after 45 seconds Wright shoved Cope hard enough backward to get up and run away into the woods. Sequoyah County Deputy William Hutchinson and Cope searched for but could not find Wright.

Another warrant was issued for Wright on Nov. 16 for eluding and assault and battery. Wright was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail Nov. 17 and his arraignment will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Sequoyah County District Court, Sallisaw. Wright is being held on a $5,000 bond.