Man strikes officers, attempts to grab gun while fleeing, Chico police say

A man was arrested Saturday after assaulting a Chico police officer, attempting to remove his gun and trying to swallow drugs, according to authorities.

The Chico Police Department said Juan Francisco Orr was traveling on a bicycle in the area of East Ninth and Oleander avenues around 8:40 p.m. when officers attempted to make contact with him. According to a news release, Orr sped away before abandoning his bicycle and attempting to flee on foot, when he was apprehended by officers.

Officers requested for Orr to comply multiple times, but Orr refused and challenged officers to a fight, police said. Orr struck an officer in the head twice before being taken to the ground, which is when police say Orr attempted to remove an officer’s gun from his holster.

Orr’s hand was removed from the holster by another officer, but Orr attempted to swallow a bag of methamphetamine as he was being detained, according to the release. He was was placed in a safety restraint system.

Orr, 31, made an attempt to escape while undergoing medical clearance at a local hospital, but he was struck by a baton several times and detained by a police officer and several security guards, according to the release.

Orr was arrested and faces several charges, among them battery on a police officer, attempting to remove a firearm from a peace officer and transportation of a controlled substance.

This story was originally published January 5, 2020 at 5:49 PM.