DPS: Troopers kick down door to arrest man who assaulted trooper, fled during traffic stop

SAN ANTONIO – A man is facing several charges after he allegedly assaulted a trooper during a traffic stop, fled on foot and barricaded himself in his South Side apartment Monday, a Department of Public Safety official said.

Sgt. Orlando Moreno said a trooper attempted to pull 40-year-old Joel Hernandez over on Porter Street around 2 p.m. when the trooper saw drug paraphernalia on the man's lap.

Moreno said the trooper attempted to arrest Hernandez -- who was initially pulled over for expired registration -- on a drug charge.

Hernandez, according to Moreno, assaulted the officer and ran from the scene. The trooper deployed his Taser, but it was ineffective, Moreno said.

Hernandez was able to run to his apartment at Porter Street and Piedmont Avenue, four blocks from the traffic stop and barricaded himself in his home, Moreno said. Troopers kicked the door down and took him into custody, according to Moreno.

Moreno said the man has no prior criminal history. He is charged with evading arrest, resisting arrest, felony possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and assaulting a public servant.