Man accused of assault during roadway encounter, in which female officer was choked, punched, and bit

A male officer came to the rescue of a female officer in Anchorage on July 29, after an agitated man, lying in the roadway, started attacking and choking the female officer.

The incident took place at 4:45 p.m. near 5th Avenue and L Street. A male police officer on duty saw the agitated man lying in the road. At the same time, Anchorage Police Department Dispatch was getting a call about the man.

The male officer attempted to convince the man, 22-year-old James D. Lestenkof, that he needed to step out of the roadway, but to no avail. The officer reached for the man’s arm to detain him. About that time, the female officer had arrived to help. Lestenkof grabbed her and took her to the ground.

During the fight, which involved both officers, Lestenkof was recorded choking, repeatedly punching, and biting the female officer. The male officer was able to pry Lestenkof’s arm from the female officer’s neck, and then deployed his taser on the violent man, so the female officer could free herself and place Lestenkof in handcuffs.

The female officer was treated at a local hospital for her injuries.

The image above was sent to Must Read Alaska as a screenshot from a video of the fight, as posted on social media, user unknown.

Lestenkof was remanded at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on the charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, and Resisting.

“Detectives are aware they have not spoken to all citizens who witnessed the assault.  APD is asking anyone who either saw the crime being committed against the officer, or who have any type of electronic footage of it, to please contact Anchorage Police at 3-1-1 (option #1) or 907-786-8900 (press “0”) so their statement may be taken and/or the evidence may be collected,” the Anchorage Police Department said. If you are the owner of the video referenced above, consider helping police with their investigation by providing the video.