A man who "fights crime" on the streets of Seattle in a black and gold rubber suit has been arrested and charged with assault. According to a spokesman for the Seattle Police Department, the self-proclaimed superhero is now facing four counts of assault after he allegedly used pepper spray to break up a fight outside a Seattle nightclub.

The incident took place in the early morning hours when a group of men and women were leaving a downtown Seattle nightclub. The police report claims that the club-goers were "dancing and having a good time" when an "unknown adult male suspect came up from behind and pepper sprayed the group."

But according to the superhero's account of the incident, he did not become involved for no reason. He claims that he came across a man and a woman who were engaged in a fight. After the men walked away, the woman attempted to hit the superhero with her purse, and the incident escalated.

The superhero then sprayed pepper spray in an attempt to diffuse the incident. However, he was arrested and charged with assault. When he was placed in the police holding cell, he was "roughed up" by two of the other inmates in his cell, but was reportedly not injured.

The superhero has been patrolling the streets of Seattle for more than a year in his black and gold suit and mask. He often has a film crew with him. Seattle police say they do not know how many crimes he has helped to stop.

Source: CNN, "Seattle's self-styled superhero arrested," Patrick Oppmann, Oct. 11, 2011