Man accused of assault indicted

WINCHESTER -- Two Front Royal men accused of assaulting a city deputy after shoplifting from an Apple Blossom Mall department store were indicted Tuesday by a Winchester Circuit Court grand jury.

Scott Vincent Butler, 48, of 228 Cloud St., and Christopher Britton, 49, of 285 Cloud St., face charges related to the Oct. 9 assault of Winchester Deputy Steve Alger.
According to official reports, Alger responded to a call for assistance from security guards who had reported a possible shoplifting.

A fight ensured in the parking lot when Alger tried to question the men, who were suspected of taking bed comforters from the mall. While Alger struggled with Britton on one side of the car, Butler allegedly struck Alger with the vehicle, knocking him to the ground. The deputy was not seriously injured.

Britton was indicted on one count each of assault and battery of a law-enforcement officer, grand larceny and attempted grand larceny. He has a court hearing scheduled for Jan. 11.

Butler was indicted on one count each of unlawful injury of a law-enforcement officer, grand larceny and attempted grand larceny. He has a court hearing scheduled for Dec. 21.