NORTHAMPTON — An early morning assault of a cab driver ended in the arrest of a Huntington man and an injured Northampton police officer.

Police received a call around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday from a cab driver who said a passenger pulled a knife on him on West Street.

The driver told police he picked up a man on Fruit Street, later identified as Serrell Kanuha, 28, and was asked to drive him to Huntington, Northampton Police Capt. John Cartledge said.

A short time later, Kanuha asked the driver to stop and let him out or he would “stab him in the neck,” Cartledge said. Kanuha then took out and unfolded a knife.

The driver stopped and let him out.

Around 5 a.m., an officer saw Kanuha get on a motorcycle on Fruit Street but not leave. When the officer issued commands, Kanuha sped off on the motorcycle toward Conz Street, Cartledge said.

Cartledge said moments later, officers located Kanuha in the Roundhouse Plaza parking lot where he had crashed on the motorcycle.

Kanuha became combative and “struggled with officers” before they ultimately arrested him, Cartledge said.

He is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (a knife), failure to stop for police, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Kanuha and an officer were taken to the hospital for evaluation. Cartledge said the officer suffered minor injuries.

It was not immediately clear Wednesday when Kanuha will be arraigned in court.

Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.

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