On Dec. 20, a 22-year-old Holland man was tasered twice and arrested by Oakland County Sheriff Deputies after assaulting two employees of Papa Romano’s on Main Street in Independence Township.
According to the employees, the man entered the store around 4 p.m. claiming to know one of the employees. After asking about other employees the man walked behind the counter smoking a cigarette.
After an 18-year-old employee told the man to go back in front of the counter, the man allegedly attacked the worker. Witnessing the incident, the second employee called 911 via cell phone. On his way out the suspect allegedly grabbed a chair threw it at the counter worker.
The employee who called 911, followed the man outside staying on the phone and trying to see where the assailant went. As the employee walked towards a car he thought the man went to, he was allegedly accosted by the man.
As police arrived they observed the suspect punching the employee outside the store. After the attacker ignored verbal calls, he was pulled off the other man. The attacker allegedly resisted the arresting officer and made several attempts to turn on the officer. At this point the man was tasered, but continued to yell and struggle from the ground. The man was tasered a second time as he continued trying to get up.
According to one of the employees, the suspect appeared intoxicated. Preliminary breath test results were .149.
Both employees suffered minor injuries, but refused medical treatment.
Warrants were requested for felonious assault, assault and battery, resisting and obstructing a police officer and disorderly conduct.