Niagara Falls Police responded to Duff’s Famous Wings around 3am on January 12th after reports of a subject with a knife.
Police radio advised that the complainant/caller stated that a white male wearing a tan coat and black backpack flashed a knife and was walking eastbound along Niagara Falls Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers traveled toward the 8700 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard and observed a white male fitting the description. The male suspect was on the north sidewalk walking eastbound. Officers turned their marked police vehicle around and made contact with him near Auto Zone.
Officers immediately observed a folding knife hanging on a clip attached to the front belt area of the suspect. The suspect was told to place his hands on the railing of the overpass so officers could check him for weapons and retrieve the knife.
The suspect complied by placing his hands on the railing at which time officers retrieved the knife. The suspect was asked if he encountered anyone in his travel to this location to which he responded, “no, why,” and then turned around to face the officer.
The officer was still in the process of patting him down and interpreted the suspect’s turning around as a threat. The suspect then placed his hands behind his back while the officer was attempting to take his backpack off.
While doing so, the suspect tensed his arms and became uncooperative by not following orders and began to pull away from the officer. The suspect then ran into the roadway and began walking backwards. He then fled eastbound.
Officers ran after the suspect and advised him to stop. The suspect ran to the Memory Lane Motel at 8800 Niagara Falls Boulevard where he tripped and fell to the ground.
The suspect was now on his stomach and officers held him to the ground. The suspect was advised to put his hands behind his back but continued to resist.
By this time, officers from the Town of Niagara and Niagara County Sheriff were on scene and a taser was deployed rendering the suspect motionless. He was then placed in handcuffs.
Medical was requested to evaluate the suspect which was later declined. He was transported to police headquarters for booking and processing. No further information is available at this time.
Taser Used to Subdue Suspect with a Knife after Fleeing from Officers