Man arrested for assaulting Columbia PD officer

Around 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2026, a patrol officer made contact with Wesley L. Haltiwanger after seeing him walking in the roadway in the 300 block of Harbison Boulevard. (Photo: Columbia Police Dept.)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Columbia PD says a 64-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a female officer during a recent call for service.

Around 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2026, a patrol officer made contact with Wesley L. Haltiwanger after seeing him walking in the roadway in the 300 block of Harbison Boulevard.

Officers say Haltiwanger was holding a sign requesting money, approaching vehicles, and posing a safety risk.

Also, officer say it was the second time law enforcement encountered Haltiwanger that day for similar violations.

He is accused of ignoring repeated verbal commands from the female officer to leave the roadway.

As the officer attempted to place Haltiwanger in handcuffs, he’s accused of actively resisting arrest and assaulting the officer by injuring her hand.

Then the officer used her taser to effectively gain control of the suspect.

The police department says the officer’s response was reasonable, necessary, and proportional to the use of force continuum.

Chief W.H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook says, “The Columbia Police Department has zero tolerance for assaults on officers. Individuals who choose to resist arrest or attack law enforcement will be held accountable.”

Haltiwanger was arrested and taken to the Lexington County Detention Center.

He was charged with assault on a police officer while resisting arrest, threatening the life of a public official, failure to stop on police command, pedestrian unlawfully in the roadway, and begging – obstruction of vehicular traffic.