Cops: Greenport man arrested after punching police officer

A Greenport man was arrested early Sunday morning after he struck a police officer in the face when authorities tried to arrest him, Southold Town police said.

Christopher Byerley, 22, was standing in the middle of the road on Route 48 in Greenport “yelling and screaming” about 2:30 a.m., police said.

Police told Mr. Byerley to move out of the street, but the man refused and struck an officer in the face, police said. Mr. Byerley threw his arms up while  he was being arrested, cutting the officer on the thumb, according to a police report.

Mr. Byerley was arrested and taken to police headquarters for processing where police found he was carrying a clear plastic bag containing marijuana, police said. He was charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Arraignment information for Mr. Byerley was not immediately available.