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Elgin Police Officer Accidentally Tases Himself In Struggle With Suspect

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Apr 9, 2013 9:40PM

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Kbiros/shutterstock.com
An Elgin police officer was trying to arrest a naked man when he drew his Taser and it misfired, instead stunning the officer. The struggle with the suspect ultimately sent two officers and the suspect to the hospital.

Police responded to a call from a cab driver Sunday morning, claiming Federico Solarzano, 40, had never paid his fare. Police ordered him to pay the fare, then discovered Solarzano had four outstanding warrants.

The Sun-Times writes:

Before taking him in, they instructed the man — who was naked — to put some clothes on, according to police accounts. That’s when he allegedly tackled one officer to the ground. A second officer drew a Taser but it misfired, striking that officer in the hand instead of hitting the suspect.

The man bolted from the apartment, but one of the officers was able to tackle him. Eventually officers subdued the man by using a Taser on him.

Solarzano was taken to a hospital, then the city jail. One officer was treated for puncture wounds caused by his Taser, and the other suffered injuries to his shoulder and hip in the struggle.