37-year-old Hoover man charged with assault after weekend police chase

Hoover police have obtained assault charges against a man who was involved in a foot chase and scuffle with two officers on Sunday night.

Hoover resident Wesley Adam Whitworth, 37, was charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree receiving stolen property after an incident in Bluff Park. He also was charged as a prohibited person carrying a pistol.

Police responded to the report of a suspicious male in the 2200 block of Kenbridge Circle about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

When the first officer arrived, Whitworth ran into a heavily wooded area, police Capt. Gregg Rector said. After the officer caught up, the suspect resisted attempts to place him under arrest and assaulted the officer, Rector said.

When a second officer arrived, both officers were able to restrain and handcuff Whitworth, he said. Both officers and Whitworth sustained injuries during the incident. Both officers had bruises and abrasions. One officer had a minor concussion, and the second officer's hand was broken, Rector said.

"We’re fortunate that they were able to subdue him in a dark, thick, wooded and rocky area," Rector said. "Officer injuries and suspect injuries could have been much worse. These two officers did an excellent job gaining control of this suspect and taking him into custody."

After the incident, officers determined the suspect was trying to sell a handgun that was stolen during a car break-in on Albemarle Drive earlier that day, Rector said. The gun has since been recovered.

This was not Whitworth's first brush with police, Rector said. About seven years ago, he ran over a cyclist and attempted to elude officers, Rector said. He also briefly escaped by breaking a pair of handcuffs and kicking open the locked door of a patrol car, Rector said.

"We’ve been dealing with Wesley for many years now. He’s always been very volatile and aggressive, and I would certainly consider him to be a danger to the community," Rector said. "This was not the first violent encounter that we’ve had with him either."

Whitworth’s bond is set at $320,000, and he was to be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer Tuesday night.