Man assaults traffic police officer for not being excused from violation

Phan Van Thoi accused of using a claw hammer to strike a traffic police officer in the head after his plea to overlook an alcohol violation while driving a motorbike was denied.

On 26/3, Phan Van Thoi, a 51-year-old resident of Hai Loc commune, was prosecuted by the Investigation Police Agency of Nghe An Provincial Police. He faces charges of resisting persons in the performance of their official duties, as stipulated under Article 330 of the Criminal Code. The charges stem from an incident on 15/3 where Thoi allegedly assaulted a traffic police officer with a hammer after being cited for driving under the influence.

Suspect Thoi at the investigation agency. *Photo: Police provided*

The incident occurred in Bac Kim Hoa hamlet, Trung Loc commune. A task force from the Dien Chau Traffic Police Station, part of the Traffic Police Department of Nghe An Provincial Police, had stopped Thoi and cited him for driving under the influence of alcohol. Authorities allege Thoi then approached Captain Phan Quoc Anh, the officer documenting the violation, and requested leniency. When his plea was rejected, Thoi opened his motorbike's storage compartment, retrieved a 30 cm claw hammer, and repeatedly struck Captain Anh in the head.

Despite being attacked, Captain Quoc Anh clutched his head and fled. However, Thoi pursued him with the hammer. Thoi then placed the hammer back in his motorbike's storage compartment, attempting to flee the scene. When six officers from the task force pursued him, Thoi resisted their arrest using bricks and a helmet, but his efforts were unsuccessful.