The Bucks County, Pennsylvania, fugitive charged with raping a child and who's been spotted on foot and bike along the Delaware River since late last week will be charged with assaulting the New Hope police officer he struggled with Friday afternoon.
Investigators on Monday were in the process of drawing up criminal complaints against David A. Hamilton, Jr. for aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempting to disarm a police officer, New Hope Police Chief Michael Cummings said.
The chief said Hamilton, 47, who's on the run from Lower Southampton, Pennsylvania, where he's from, struggled with Officer Steven Gruber at about 3:35 p.m. in the 100 block of South Sugan Road, and tried to take Gruber's gun.
Hamilton then fled into nearby woods in Solebury, and disappeared on foot.
A hunter also spotted Hamilton and took photos of him on foot in the woods, and provided them to police, who confirmed his identity.
The search in that area and beyond continued over the weekend, and on Monday teams of officers were out in force again - including officers from Philadelphia.
Solebury police on Monday evening tweeted footage of a K-9 police dog from the SEPTA Transit Police assisting officers in a search.
Cummings said New Hope police are getting tips about Hamilton's whereabouts, but none have panned out.
Hamilton walking through a wooded area Sept. 21, 2018, after struggling with a New Hope police officer. (Courtesy photo, WPVI-TV)
Hamilton is charged with 12 sexual assault felonies in Lower Southampton, including rape of child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, and photographing or filming a sex act involving a child on a computer.
Lower Southampton police have not elaborated on the case beyond his charges. The department publicized his case last Wednesday and said they were looking for him.
His car was abandoned in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, across from Trenton on Thursday, and he was recorded on a security camera riding a mountain bike in town. And early Friday, he was spotted crossing the Calhoun Street bridge into Trenton.
Police in Delaware River towns in both states have urged residents and others to dial 911 if they spot Hamilton.
In addition to dialing 911, police ask anyone with information that may help police locate him to contact Lower Southampton Detective Sgt. Gerald Scott at 215-357-1235, ext. 344, at gscott@LSTWP.org or by responding to Crimewatch via a tip.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.