A Pasco County sheriff's deputy arrested a man accused of pulling off the deputy's body camera and radio microphone after being shocked with a Taser.
The incident began when the deputy responded to a crash in the parking of the Dollar General at 4404 Grand Boulevard in New Port Richey on Sunday. Chad Christopher John, 28, of New Port Richey was sitting in the involved vehicle, which was later discovered to be in drive gear, according to the arrest report.
"John was facing forward with his eyes wide open with a blank stare," the deputy wrote in the report. "Myself and fire rescue personnel attempted to gain his attention to see if aid needed to be rendered. John continued to stare forward and did not respond."
The report says the deputy used a baton to break the the rear passenger window, opened the driver's door and ordered John out. John refused, pulled his arm away and clenched a fist, the deputy wrote.
The deputy then deployed a Taser, but John resisted, "grabbed at my neck area" and ripped my body-worn camera from my uniform, causing it not to activate," the deputy wrote. "When he grabbed my camera, he also grabbed my radio mic and ripped it off my uniform so I could not request assistance."
According to the report, the deputy struck John three times with a baton, "which had minimal effect," before getting one of his wrists in a handcuff. A Pasco Fire Rescue crew member stepped in and helped subdue the suspect.
The deputy suffered arm and knee abrasions and needed medical attention. John was treated at Medical Center of Trinity.
The report says John denied using drugs and could not explain his actions, but a package of syringes was located in the center console. "John originally stated they were for his grandmother," the deputy wrote. "After further investigation, it was learned his grandmother passed away.
John was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.