A Taft Police officer used his Taser to stun a 19-year-old who became defiant and refused to comply with the officers attempts to cite him for not wearing a helmet while skateboarding at the Taft Skate Park.
Officer Kevin Altenhofel was originally dispatched to the Skate Park Sunday at 11:38 p.m. to investigate reports of juveniles consuming alcohol.
While there, Lt. Ed Whiting said, Altenhofel saw Russell Day of Bakersfield skateboarding with out a helmet, a violation of Taft City ordinances.
Whiting said Altenhofel attempted to talk with Day about not wearing a helmet when Day “became argumentative.”
When Altenhofel tried to get Day’s identification to write him a citation, Whiting said, Day fled.
Altenhofel gave chase and used the Taser, which administers an electric shock to immobilize fleeing and combative subjects, to stop Day.
Whiting said the incident was videotaped and that Day became “very apologetic” after being arrested.
Day was charged with violating the ordinance requiring skateboarders to wear a helmet and with resisting or evading arrest.
