TEXARKANA, Texas - A 35-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he fought with officers outside a Greyhound bus station Thursday afternoon, August 13th, punching three officers and later spitting on two of them.
Texarkana Police officers responded to the Greyhound Bus Station on South Lake Drive (at the Exxon Travel Stop) after a passenger became involved in an argument with the driver of a bus he had been riding. The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Matthew Gene Price-Dukes of Missouri.
According to police, the dispute resulted in Price-Dukes being told he would not be allowed back on the bus.
Authorities said Price-Dukes then continued causing problems inside the convenience store at the bus station. Employees asked police to ban him from the property.
Officers attempted to speak with Price-Dukes outside, but police said he remained argumentative and confrontational.
After attempts to reason with him were unsuccessful, officers told Price-Dukes that he needed to leave the property or he would be arrested for criminal trespass.
Police said he refused to leave, prompting officers to attempt to place him under arrest.
Police Say Three Officers Were Punched
As officers moved to arrest him, Price-Dukes allegedly began fighting.
Police said he swung at the officers, striking two of them in the face and punching a third officer in the head.
Officers deployed JPX pepper guns several times during the struggle, but authorities said the pepper agent appeared to have little effect on Price-Dukes.
Officers eventually brought him to the ground, but police said he continued resisting by fighting, grabbing and scratching officers.
Additional Texarkana Police officers and Bowie County deputies arrived several minutes later to assist. Authorities were eventually able to place Price-Dukes in handcuffs.
Police said the confrontation did not end there.
Price-Dukes allegedly spit on two officers, with the spit striking one officer in the face.
Officers ultimately placed him in a WRAP restraint system to safely transport him to the Bi-State Jail.
Despite being assaulted during the confrontation, police said none of the officers suffered serious injuries, and they were able to continue working their shifts.
Price-Dukes was charged with three counts of Assault on a Peace Officer, two counts of Harassment of a Public Servant, Resisting Arrest and Evading Detention. His bond was set at $473,000.
