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2 Thornton officers hospitalized after struggle with suspected heroin user

Posted at 4:46 PM, Jul 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-21 19:22:47-04

THORNTON, Colo. – Two Thornton officers were hospitalized Friday during a struggle with a man accused of shooting up heroin at a park. One officer suffered minor injuries; the extent of the second officer’s injuries is unknown.

Jason Masek, 22, is behind bars facing a long list of charges after allegedly escaping custody twice during the arrest. Police released a 2014 booking photo of the suspect.

Around 10 a.m., Thornton officers were called to the park in the 800 block of Croke Drive on a report the suspect was using the drug. When they arrived on scene, police say Masek fled into a nearby library where a struggle inside the building's bathroom led to the officers’ injuries.

Police say the suspect escaped after the bathroom attack but was later spotted nearby by another Thornton officer in the 1000 block of Croke Drive, where Masek was tased and taken into custody.

After his arrest, he was taken to the hospital where police say he managed to escape a second time. But he didn’t get far. Police had him in custody after a short foot chase.

Masek is facing two counts of second-degree assault on police officer, resisting arrest, and escape. One officer involved in the scuffle remains hospitalized.