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Suffolk police officer knocked unconscious, suspect captured

Posted at 8:21 PM, May 19, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-20 00:24:04-04

SUFFOLK, Va. (WTVR) - Suffolk police have arrested a man who allegedly assaulted a police officer and left him unconscious in the woods.

Around 8:26 a.m., Officer James Winslow responded to a call for a stolen vehicle. When the driver, identified as Joe Louis Staton, pulled over, police say he took off on foot.

Officer Winslow chased Staton into the woods. According to Suffolk Police spokeswoman Debbie George, that's when Staton hit Winslow in the face with a blunt object.

When Winslow was found, he was lying unconscious in the woods. He was flown to a hospital and is currently listed in critical condition.

Nearly seven hours later, police found and arrested Staton.

The charges against him are pending. According to police, there was also a warrant out for his arrest from Norfolk for probation violation.