FHP Trooper Defeats Drunk ‘Darth Vader' With Pepper Spray

Man in 'Star Wars' mask attacked trooper: FHP.

Darth Vader may be able to handle most lightsaber-wielding Jedis, but he's met his match when it comes to Florida Highway Patrol troopers with pepper spray.

Authorities say a drunk man wearing the "Star Wars" villain mask was arrested Thursday in Orlando after he tried to punch and kick an FHP trooper near a construction site.

The trooper responded to the area of Summerlin Avenue and Anderson Street around 2:45 a.m. when he was advised by construction workers of an intoxicated man walking in the roadway in the mask, according to the FHP.

The trooper approached the man, identified as 28-year-old Michael E. Cole, who began cursing at the trooper and laid down in the road, the FHP said.

When the trooper tried to get Cole off the road, Cole tried to punch and kick him, the FHP said.

The trooper fired his Taser, but Cole's heavy jacket protected him from the stun gun. The trooper pulled out some pepper spray and was able to take Cole into custody.

Cole was taken to a nearby hospital after complaining of shortness of breath, then later booked into the Orange County jail on charges of felony resisting arrest and felony battery on a police officer.

He was being held without bond, and it was unknown whether he has an attorney.

The trooper wasn't injured.

FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said no cape or lightsaber were found at the scene, but did say that Cole's mom came and picked up his Vader mask.

The news comes less than a month after a man in a Chewbacca mask was involved in a shooting in West Palm Beach.

Contact Us