Man Tries To Take Officer's Taser In Struggle
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (STMW)-- Police say during a traffic stop Tuesday in Arlington Heights a northwest suburban man ran from the officer who stopped him, then got into a struggle with the officer while trying to take the officer's Taser gun away.
About 5 p.m. Tuesday, "at the height of rush hour," Arlington Heights Police Cmdr. Michael Miljan said, an officer stopped Samuel Lopez, Jr. at Dundee Road near Route 53 for a traffic violation.
While the officer was questioning Lopez, the man ran away, Miljan said. Lopez at one point ran down an embankment of the roadway, followed by the officer. The officer caught up with Lopez and a struggle ensued, Miljan said. The officer attempted to Taser him, but Lopez tried to take the Taser from the officer and there was a struggle over it.
The officer was able to overpower Lopez and handcuff him. The officer, while incurring some scrapes and scratches, did not suffer any injuries that required medical attention, Miljan said. Police also found a substance believed to be cocaine in Lopez's car.
Lopez, 31, of the 1800 block of North Green Lane in Palatine, was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, attempting to disarm a police officer, and possession of a controlled substance, in addition to the original traffic violation, Miljan said.
Lopez was scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing Wednesday, according to Miljan. Information on his bond and future court date was not immediately available Wednesday evening.
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