Police use stun gun on man at hospital

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) - A man who police said told them he had been awake for more than five days smoking methamphetamine had to be subdued with stun guns at Columbus Regional Hospital following a police chase and a scuffle with officers, 24-Hour News 8 news partner The Republic reports.

Six police agencies from Shelby and Bartholomew counties were involved in the pursuit of John E. Reid II, 29, on Saturday morning, after reports that he stole first one vehicle and then another in Shelby County, The Republic reports. Police said Reid hit a Hope police patrol car during the chase.

"He was definitely an extreme danger to the community," said Maj. Todd Noblitt, chief deputy of Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department. "He wasn't just trying to elude police, he was going head-on into traffic."

After about half an hour, Reid stopped the car near Bartholomew County roads 900 North and 100 East and ran to a nearby garage, police told the newspaper. Officers arrested Reid and took him to the hospital because he said he had severe pain in his ribs, and because police wanted blood drawn for investigation of possible intoxication.

While at the hospital, Reid was uncooperative and started fighting with Columbus police, CPD spokesman Lt. Matt Myers told The Republic. The officers fired their stun guns four times before they could gain control of Reid, Myers said.

Reid was preliminarily charged with auto theft, residential entry, disorderly conduct, escape, three counts of battery on a police officer and four counts of resisting law enforcement.