DES MOINES, Iowa _ A college student whose friend was being questioned in a hit and run found himself charged with assaulting an officer with a curious choice of weapons: M&Ms.

Sean McGuire was arrested early Sunday at a convenience store after Drake University security guards noticed the coloured candies falling on the ground around the officer.

When the officer turned around, an M&M hit his shoulder, according to a police report.

McGuire claims he threw the candy because he was ``sticking up for his friend,'' who apparently was the man suspected in the accident, the report states.

McGuire, of Glenview, Illinois, was released from jail Sunday after posting $1,000 bond. © 2008 The Canadian Press