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Manhunt Underway For Man Who Allegedly Threw Officer Down Embankment

NEW RINGGOLD, Pa. (AP) -- Authorities are looking for the man who assaulted a police officer in eastern Pennsylvania, leaving her injured and hospitalized.

The man remained at-large Thursday, a day after he jumped West Penn Township officer Melissa Ruch as she stopped to investigate a vehicle on the side of the road and threw her down a steep embankment.

West Penn Township police say the embankment is rocky and steep, dropping about 40 feet. Police say Ruch hit the man with her stun gun and called for backup.

He was gone by the time other officers arrived on the scene along Route 309 in Schuylkill (SKOO'-kul) County. Pennsylvania State Police describe the man as Hispanic, 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 4 inches tall and heavyset, weighing 240 to 260 pounds.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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