Officer Hit With Own Taser While Arresting Alleged Shoplifter
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
ST. PETERSBURG (CBSMiami/AP) — An officer, while attempting to take a shoplifting suspect to jail, was hit with his own Taser.
Officer John Douglas, according to St. Petersburg police, was transporting 37-year-old Jason Lee Benedict to jail after he allegedly stole three bottles of cough syrup and drank them in the grocery store bathroom.
As the officer handcuffed Benedict on Friday, authorities say he punched and kicked the officer. Police said Benedict bit the officer's hand and reached for his Taser, causing it to discharge in the officer's left hand.
The suspect was initially taken to a hospital, but was in jail by Sunday charged with theft, possession of a weapon by a felon, battery on a law enforcement officer and escape.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
