An Arnold Police officer used a stun gun twice while trying to subdue a 44-year-old Arnold man outside the Circle K gas station, 504 Jeffco Blvd. The man appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance and allegedly was dancing in the traffic lanes of two nearby streets, police reported.
The man also allegedly damaged an officer’s smart watch and pants before he was arrested on Dec. 7, the report said.
A gas station employee called police at about 8 a.m. that day because the man reportedly was scaring customers outside the convenience store. The employee said the man previously had stolen items from the store and had been charged with trespassing, according to the report.
When officers arrived, the man initially refused to leave the gas station. He also declined medical attention and allegedly walked into oncoming traffic on Starling Airport Road, the report said.
The man was not hit by any vehicles, but he reportedly refused to leave the roadway. He then walked onto Jeffco Boulevard and started throwing his arms in the air and dancing, according to the report.
The officers told the man he was being placed under arrest for trespassing, but when the officers tried to get him off the road, he reportedly pulled away. One of the officers used his stun gun twice on the man before they were able to take him into custody, Arnold Police reported.
Neither the officers nor the suspect were injured during the arrest, but the man allegedly caused $650 in damage by breaking an officer’s watch and tearing the officer’s pants, the report said.
The man was taken by Rock Township Ambulance to Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County for evaluation. Arnold Police issued the man summonses to appear in Arnold Municipal Court for second-degree property damage, second-degree trespassing and resisting arrest, Cpl. Brett Ackermann said.