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Liberty police tase man who reportedly ran from officer
By Sarah Lehr
LIBERTY
An officer used his electronic stun weapon on a suspect Tuesday morning after the man fled after a traffic stop, according to police reports.
Officer David Rankin reported stopping Steven Garland, 40, of Youngstown near the Shell Gas Station on Belmont Avenue about 12:44 a.m. for speeding and failure to stop at a red light.
The report says the officer attempted to frisk Garland for possible weapons outside Garland’s car, but that Garland started to run toward the Days Inn hotel.
The report continues that after Garland tripped or fell over a sidewalk curb, Rankin told him to get on his stomach and place his hands behind his back so he could be handcuffed.
Instead, Garland began to reach near his waist and pocket area and roll back toward the officer. Rankin said Garland again refused to comply with an order to place his hands behind his back, and that is when he used his stun gun.
The report states Garland then placed his hands behind his back and was handcuffed.
Liberty Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene, but Garland declined to be hospitalized or receive medical attention, the report states.
Police say Garland initially gave a false name and age to the officer. A tow truck arrived to impound Garland’s vehicle due to several suspensions of his license.
Officers booked Garland into the Trumbull County Jail, but he was released later Tuesday morning. There is a bench warrant out for his arrest.
Garland faces charges of resisting arrest, failure to comply with the order of a police officer, obstructing a police officer, failure to obey a traffic-control device and forfeiture.