A man accused of throwing a rock at a Durango police officer after assaulting a front desk clerk at the Durango Downtown Inn is slated to face charges in 6th Judicial District Court on Friday.

David W. Hutton, 39, was located by Durango Police Department Officer Colin Harvey along the Animas River, west of Albertsons after police were called to respond to an assault on the front desk clerk at the motel on May 21.

According to an arrest affidavit, Hutton ran away from Harvey after he was initially spotted. Hutton tried to hide behind a boulder along the riverbank. Harvey reported Hutton stood up from behind the rock and threw a rock at him.

In apprehending Hutton, Harvey used his Taser on him twice, but it was ineffective and Hutton attempted to run away.

Eventually, Harvey gained control of Hutton, and he was in the process of arresting him as several other officers arrived.

Several large rocks were found in Hutton’s pockets.

Officers were called to the Durango Downtown Inn after the front desk clerk, Jovany Rosa, reported he was assaulted by a man whom he had asked to leave the property.

Rosa told police officers the man assaulted him while holding a rock in his hand and then fled on foot.

Rosa showed an officer video surveillance of the assault, and the suspect matched Hutton’s physical appearance and the clothing he wore when apprehended.

Hutton was arrested on suspicion of two first-degree assaults, violation of bond conditions, resisting arrest and trespassing.

Hutton was in custody at La Plata County Jail on Tuesday.

parmijo@durangoherald.com