A Saanich police officer was assaulted Thursday night after chasing down a suspect involved in a fight.

Around 7:30 p.m., police were called to the intersection of Cedar Hill and Cedar Hill X roads where it was reported that three men were fighting.

The fight was over by the time the first officer arrived on scene, but one of the individuals involved said he had been attacked by another person, who could be seen running away. That officer chased the suspect on foot.

A second officer in the area caught up with the suspect and cornered him with his vehicle in a yard on Shorncliffe Drive, near McKenzie Avenue.

That officer ran after the suspect, but when he caught up with him, the suspect turned and punched the officer in the face. He proceeded to kick and punch the officer repeatedly.

Three other members arrived, and the quartet of police officers were able to subdue the suspect and arrest him.

Allan James Tutube was charged with one count of assaulting a police officer. He also faces one count of theft from an earlier incident.

The officer, a 16-year veteran, has a split lip, among other minor facial injuries and aches, and spent Friday resting at home.

kslavin@saanichnews.com