Abuse suspect tries to take cop's gun; officer zaps him with Taser and punches his face

A domestic-assault suspect tried to grab a police officer's gun, but the officer secured his weapon, pushed the suspect back and hit him with a Taser, police said.

Cape Girardeau police arrested Clarence Dwight Lowe, 49, of Cape Girardeau on Sunday.

The Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Lowe with second-degree assault on a law-enforcement officer, third-degree domestic assault and resisting arrest.

Lowe's bond was set at $35,000 cash or surety.

Officers went to a domestic-assault report about 8 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Pacific Street, according to a probable-cause statement filed in the case by police Cpl. Bryan Blanner.

Officers could hear a woman screaming about being pushed and choked before entering the apartment, Blanner wrote. The woman had a scratch on her neck and redness on her arms, according to the statement.

While Blanner tried to take a statement from the victim, Lowe yelled at her, according to the statement.

Blanner met Lowe outside of the apartment, informing Lowe he was under arrest. Lowe wrapped his arms around Blanner's waist, grabbed his firearm and tried to remove it from the holster, Blanner wrote.

Blanner secured his weapon and forced Lowe's hand off his firearm while pushing him back, according to the statement.

Officers Brian Eggers and Jonathan Brotz forced Lowe to the ground as Blanner tried to place Lowe in handcuffs, Blanner wrote.

Lowe continued to resist after Blanner ordered him to place his hands behind his back, and Blanner struck Lowe twice in the back with a Taser, according to the statement.

Lowe grabbed the Taser and tried to pull it away, and Blanner punched Lowe's face, Blanner wrote.

Blanner tried to hit Lowe with a drive stun -- in which the Taser touches the person -- and Lowe pulled at the Taser a second time, according to the statement.

When Blanner had control of his Taser, Eggers and Brotz placed Lowe in handcuffs, Blanner wrote.

"This type of situation happens more than most people know," officer Richard McCall wrote in an email. "Cpl. Blanner's actions are that of good training, good decision-making and good supervision of the situation. Just another day as a police officer, really."

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 400 block of Pacific Street, Cape Girardeau, MO