A man arrested last week after he fought with an officer responding to a disturbance at the Hilton Vancouver Washington made an initial court appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court.
Daniel P. Popravak, 53, faces allegations of third-degree assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Court records say Popravak calls Vancouver home but is transient and may suffer from mental health issues.
Vancouver police were dispatched about 9:25 p.m. to the hotel, 301 W. Sixth St., for a suspicious person. A caller reported that a man, who wasn’t a guest, was in the lobby screaming and threatening people, police said.
By the time an officer arrived, the suspect had walked off and was found nearby at Esther Short Park.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Popravak was “yelling and screaming very loudly causing a disturbance as people would see him and walk the other way to avoid him.”
Popravak refused to follow the officer’s commands and walked away while staggering and screaming, according to the affidavit. The officer wrote in the affidavit that Popravak appeared to be intoxicated or high on drugs.
The officer followed Popravak through Esther Short Park and witnessed him drop a can of beer on the ground, according to the affidavit.
Popravak returned to the hotel and was removed by security, according to police.
Once outside the hotel, Popravak reportedly charged at the officer “with a crazy look in his eyes and yelling gibberish not making sense,” the affidavit says. This prompted a physical fight. At one point, Popravak grabbed the officer by the head and neck while screaming “No!” court records state.
The officer and Popravak wrestled to the ground, and Popravak grabbed at his gear and tried to bite him. Popravak also allegedly threatened to kill the officer during the fight, according to the affidavit.
Other officers arrived to assist, and Popravak was arrested and taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. He was booked into the Clark County Jail on Friday morning.
The officer, identified in court documents as Cpl. Brent Donaldson, suffered minor injuries to his knees, and red marks and scratches on his face and neck.
On Monday, Judge Daniel Stahnke set Popravak’s bail at $50,000. During a second hearing Tuesday, Stahnke ordered Popravak to undergo a competency evaluation.
