SEATTLE POLICE PHOTO

Steve C. Hyatt has been charged with assaulting a Seattle police officer.

-- From Times staff reporter Steve Miletich:

Seattle police are asking for the public's help in locating Steve C. Hyatt, who was charged last week with assaulting a police officer and attempting to disarm her following a Feb. 10 pursuit in North Seattle.

Hyatt, 33, was charged Friday with assault, attempting to disarm the officer, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and hit-and-run driving.

He is described as a white, 5-feet-6, 180 pounds, with green eyes and short-cropped hair. A recent photograph of Hyatt, taken by police after a separate arrest for driving while under the influence, was released by police.

Anyone who sees Hyatt should call 911 immediately, and anyone with information should call Seattle police Detective Tim Wear at 206-684-8935, police said.

According to the charges, Seattle police Officer Liliya Nesteruk attempted to stop Hyatt in his SUV after he was seen contacting two prostitutes in the area of Aurora Avenue North.

Hyatt sped off through a residential area, ran a stop sign and crashed into residence, narrowly missing a man who was covered in glass, charging papers say. Hyatt ran from his SUV, but Nesteruk caught him and both went to their knees before he tried to grab her gun and struck her in the face, prosecutors say.

He broke free and Nesteruk caught him again. He tried to strike her a second time, charging papers say. Hyatt escaped again and ran away, the charging papers say. Nesteruk later identified him from a photograph.

Nesteruk, 24, suffered a bloody nose, swelling, abrasions and bruising to her hands, wrists and knees, and was treated at a hospital for her injuries, according to the charging papers.

Hyatt might have injuries from the crash or his struggles with Nesteruk, said Detective Mark Jamieson, a police spokesman.

Hyatt also faces Seattle Municipal Court charges of driving while under the influence and driving with a suspended license that allegedly occurred eight days before the Feb. 10 incident.