Cape man allegedly assaults officer after arrest

David Lindsey, 46, 325 N. Lorimier St., Apt. 1, was arrested last week and now faces charges of assault on a law enforcement officer following an incident that occurred at Southeast Missouri Hospital during early morning hours.

Police responded to the hospital around 2 a.m. Friday. Lindsey had been transported to the hospital earlier in the evening after reportedly taking 25 Xanax tablets, according to a probable-cause statement written and signed by officer J.M. Jensen.

When police received a call to pick up Lindsey, he became belligerent and tried to pull away from the officers trying to place him into custody, according to the statement.

When Lindsey found out he was being escorted to the municipal jail, he allegedly began cursing and refused to cooperate once they arrived at the jail.

When asked to change into a uniform, he grabbed for an officer's throat, according to the statement, and pulled off the collar mike.

The officer "instinctively struck him in the mouth area with a closed hand, which time Lindsey went to the ground," the statement said.

When officers tried to remove Lindsey's clothing, he began kicking his feet.

After struggling for a few minutes, one of the four officers who were trying to control him discharged his Taser, the statement said. Lindsey tried to grab the weapon, and they finally walked him to the "rubber room," where they were able to remove his shirt, the statement said.

The alleged assault was the 10th so far this year on law enforcement officials. In 2007, there were 20 in Cape Girardeau, and 27 in 2006.

"It's just not something you encounter all the time," Sgt. Barry Hovis said.

The situation may escalate more quickly if alcohol is involved, Hovis said.

In cases where police respond to an assault or fighting call, they're prepared for the possibility, because they know some level of violence has already occurred.

The use of force contimum Cape Girardeau uses involves a series of levels of force, beginning with simple officer presence and moving through voice commands, soft and hard physical contact, and then weapons such as an asp, Taser, or mace which may be used to subdue an unruly suspect.