Cops And Courts – September 9, 2016

Officer Uses Taser To Prevent Attack

OCEAN CITY — An Ocean View man had to be tased last weekend after first attempting to punch a bartender at a downtown bar and later attempting to attack an Ocean City Police officer with a belt and belt buckle fashioned as a weapon in the street.

Around 11:40 p.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer on foot patrol in the downtown area observed a man later identified as Jacob Harden, 45, of Ocean View, Del., standing in the middle of Dorchester Street yelling expletives including alleged threats directed at police officers. According to police reports, Harden also had a leather belt wrapped around his right hand with about six inches of the leather portion and a metal belt buckle dangling and fashioned as a weapon.

As the officer approached, Harden allegedly told police “let’s go,” and took a fighting stance with the belt still fashioned as a weapon in his right hand and his left hand clenched in a fist. According to police reports, Harden said “[expletive deleted] cops,” and “I will [expletive deleted] you up.”

At that point, Harden allegedly approached one of the OCPD officers holding the belt raised as if he was going to strike the officer. Harden then lunged at the officer, who was able to avoid a strike by the belt and position himself behind Harden. The officer was able to tackle Harden to the ground, but the suspect continued to scrap with police and resist arrest.

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