APPLETON — Appleton police arrested a suspect after he pointed what turned out to be a ‘finger gun’ at them and was subdued with a Tazer.
Police posted Saturday on Facebook about the incident they say happened recently to commend officers for safely resolving what could have been a far more serious situation.
The suspect now faces possible charges of Robbery, Operate a Motor Vehicle without Owner’s Consent, and Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety.
Originally, officers were dispatched to a home in Appleton for what was initially reported as a disturbance.
Police later learned that a vehicle had been stolen, crashed through a fence, and the suspect was possibly in possession of a firearm.
As units were responding to the incident location, nearby officers working a traffic detail observed a vehicle matching the description provided, with noticeable damage to the vehicle, driving at a high rate of speed away from the area.
As these officers attempted to get in a position to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle lost control, crashed into another vehicle, and then into a building.
The suspect in this incident exited the stolen vehicle, approached arriving officers, initiated a physical confrontation, and then attempted to flee on foot.
In doing so, this suspect advanced on another responding officer, turned his body away from the officer, and reached his hand behind his back.
Seeing this, an officer drew his service weapon and began issuing verbal commands to the suspect, according to police.
That’s when the suspect quickly gestured his hand back towards the officer and produced a “finger gun.”
Seeing that the suspect was not armed, the officer holstered his firearm and drew a Tazer.
The suspect continued to ignore this officer’s commands and ventured back out into the busy street, according to police.
Police say they gave the several opportunities to comply, however when the suspect again changed course and came toward the officer at a close distance.
The officer deployed his Taser on the suspect who was taken into custody without further incident.
.
.
