Springfield police began their investigation when they were dispatched to the area of East Liberty Street and Tibbetts Avenue in reference to a male with a gun, according to an affidavit filed with the charges. The affidavit says a man told police that he was walking out of Family Dollar on Selma Road when Sloat pulled up on the street and pointed a black handgun at him and used a racial slur.
Officers were able to locate Sloat driving a black Jeep on Selma Road, the affidavit says.
“Mr. Sloat advised officers that we could check the vehicle for weapons and (an officer) did so,’” the affidavit says. “Officers did not locate any weapons inside the vehicle. Mr. Slaot was later arrested and searched. (officers) located a cigarette box in his pocket with a used glass crack pipe inside. Mr. Sloat was not cooperative and officers called a non-preference tow for his vehicle that was in the middle of the street.”
Sloat was driven to police headquarters in downtown Springfield and attempted to remove him from the patrol car, the affidavit says.
“Officers observed a broken door handle form the rear passenger side and broken window switch,” the affidavit says. “Officers also observed Mr. Sloat with his handcuffs in front of him. Officers advised Mr. Sloat to lean against the patrol vehicle so officers could put his hands back behind his back. At this time Mr. Sloat pushed (an officer) to the ground and began running out between patrol vehicles.”
Officers said they were able to chase Sloat down, tase him and put him back into custody on North Fountain Avenue in front of the police station. The assault charge filed in the case is for allegedly pushing the police officer down.
A next court date in the case has not been set.
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