A police officer was hit with his own Taser while trying to take a shoplifting suspect to jail in southwest Florida.
St. Petersburg police say Officer John Douglas 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.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
