Officers suffer minor injuries while apprehending a shoplifter.
Lincoln Police Officer Erin Spilker said police were called to the Casey’s General Store at 1001 S 13th Street around 9 pm Tuesday on reports of a shoplifter refusing to leave the store and causing a disturbance.
An officer soon made contact with 33-year-old Juan Gonzales, who was seen walking in the 1100 block of F Street.
Gonzales matched the description of the alleged shoplifter and, upon seeing the officer, slammed the drink he had shoplifted on the ground and charged the officer’s cruiser.
“The officer exited the cruiser and attempted to place Gonzales into custody but he shoved the officer backwards,” said Spilker. “Another officer then tackled Gonzales and attempted to place him in handcuffs but he refused to comply or be taken into custody.”
After a 4 minute struggle, Gonzales was detained after additional officers responded to the scene.
Two officers reported sustaining minor cuts during the fight.
A search of Gonzales’s person uncovered methamphetamine in his pants pocket and he was arrested for shoplifting, assaulting an officer, disturbing the peace and possession of a controlled substance.