Colorado Springs police: man in custody after failed carjacking and assaulting officer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A man is in custody after assaulting an officer and an attempted carjacking.

According to Colorado Springs police, AMR was in the area of Platte Avenue and Wahsatch Avenue around 7 p.m. on Sunday when they saw a man in the middle of the street. The suspect was approaching vehicles and attempting to ender them.

At the same time, another caller notified CSPD of an attempted carjacking involving the same suspect.

After unsuccessfully getting into a vehicle, CSPD says the suspect continued to another business and began challenging patrons to fight.

An officer arrived on the scene and a brief struggle ensued. Police say the suspect punched and kicked the officer before the suspect was detained and additional officers arrived on the scene.

The suspect, identified as Thomas Whalen, was arrested and transported to jail related to this investigation.

Despite the fight, CSPD says the officer who was assaulted was able to complete their shift.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Whalen is set to appear in court Tuesday and is being held on a $10,000 bond.