Man accused of injuring Mesa officer near school had heroin, meth in his pockets

MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Mesa police are revealing more details about what led to an officer being injured after a car crash into a school building Sunday afternoon.

According to an arrest report, Mesa officers were responding to a report of a crash at Holmes Elementary School, near Mesa Drive and Southern Avenue, around 11 a.m. Sunday. When officers arrived, they found Leon Brisco and a female passenger inside the car. The report stated that Brisco was seen “manipulating” inside a vehicle compartment. When an officer approached, they told Brisco that he was not free to leave, and that’s when Brisco reportedly became combative and refused to obey commands.

Officers on the scene asked for backup just as a fight broke out between Brisco and one of the officers already on the scene. That officer was injured, according to Mesa Police. Additional officers arrived a short time later to help arrest Brisco. While taking him into custody, officers discovered a syringe with a substance that later tested positive for heroin. Also found in Brisco’s pockets was another container tested positive meth.

Brisco now faces charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of narcotics. The case will be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney, who will determine the final charges.

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