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Chief: Man bites Ludowici police officer
ludowici police
A man who ran from Ludowici police officers trying to arrest him on an outstanding warrant bit one of those officers, leaving an impression on her forearm, police said.Police Chief Robert Poppell said Sgt. Phillip Bohannon and Officer Shae Pruitt noticed local resident Julian Smith in the parking lot of the Exxon convenience store at around 1:30 a.m. March 15.Knowing that Smith had an outstanding felony probation warrant against him, the officers went to the parking lot to investigate, Poppell said. When the officers asked Smith his name, he gave them a false name, claiming to be his older brother, the chief said.Bohannon then told Smith that he knew who he was and that there was a warrant out on him, Smith fled on foot and the officers pursued him, Poppell said.As Smith ran, he appeared to reach in his waistband, Poppell said. Because the officers did not know whether he was reaching for a weapon, Bohannon pulled out his Taser and struck Smith in the back, causing him to fall to the ground, the chief said.Pruitt then attempted to pull Smith’s hands behind his back so she could handcuff him, but he held them under his waist, Poppell said.
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