Man rams police car, attacks patrolman

A man who held a grudge against a police detective who had previously arrested him ran the officer's unmarked police car off the road with his car and attacked him with a screwdriver Wednesday, Las Vegas police said.

Donald Mason, 40, was arrested on charges of attempted murder of a police officer, resisting a police officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and battery with a deadly weapon.

Police said the incident began about 6:46 a.m. near the Las Vegas Beltway and Jones Boulevard. Police were called to the scene to investigate a report of a detective who was attacked. Police did not release the name of the detective, but said he is an eight-year veteran.

They said Mason rammed his 1994 Toyota sport utility vehicle into the rear of the detective's unmarked police car. The police car crossed the center divider into oncoming traffic, while Mason's car left the roadway and rolled over at least once before landing on its wheels. After the detective regained control of the car, he got out of it and approached Mason to see if he had been injured, police said.

That's when Mason attacked the detective with the screwdriver, police said.

Mason was restrained by the detective and a passing motorist.

The detective was taken to University Medical Center where he was treated for injuries and released. Police did not specify what his injuries were.

Police said Mason, who was being held at the Clark County Detention Center Wednesday night, had a long criminal history that included arrests for gross lewdness, narcotics violations, driving under the influence and domestic violence.