By Dave Eck
Enquirer contributor

A Cincinnati police officer suffered minor injuries Thursday evening after being assaulted by a shoplifting suspect outside a Corryville store.

Officer Robert Williams, 36, was treated at University Hospital for cuts and bruises, and released.

The officer was working a security detail at the Walgreens store at 1 W. Corry St. about 8 p.m. when he approached Pearson Talley, 40, who was thought to be trying to sell stolen merchandise outside the store, a police report says. The two men struggled and Talley was able to obtain the officer's PR-24 nightstick.

A passerby assisted the officer, grabbing Talley's arms and preventing him from using the stick, the report says.

"He jumped in and helped the officer," Police Lt. Kurt Byrd said. "If not for him, it could have been a lot worse."

Talley is charged with assault on a police officer, robbery and aggravated robbery.

On Sunday, Cincinnati Officer Michael Schulte shot and killed Andre Sherrer after Sherrer grabbed the officer's stick and began hitting the officer on the head with it.

"Two incidents in one week is concerning to us," Byrd said. "This can be, if not used properly, a lethal weapon."

E-mail daveck@fuse.net