Springfield man charged, accused of trying to escape police

A Springfield man attempted to flee police custody and was shot with a Taser and pepper sprayed, according to court documents filed in Clark County this week.

Ronald Johnson, 25, in Clark County Municipal Court was charged in Clark County Municipal Court with escape, having weapons while under disability, carrying a concealed weapon, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and obstructing official business. He pleaded not guilty and his bond was set at $25,000.

Johnson is accused of having a loaded 9mm Taurus G2c concealed in his sock during the incident.

An affidavit filed in support of the charges says Springfield police began their investigation Friday at around 2 a.m. when they saw a vehicle in the area of South Lowery Avenue and Oakwood Place. Officers found the car’s registration was expired and conducted a traffic stop on West Pleasant Avenue near South Center Street, according to the affidavit.

Johnson was a passenger in the vehicle, the affidavit says.

“Officers removed Mr. Johnson and advised him he had a warrant for his arrest,” the affidavit says. “When they asked him to turn around and face the car, he fled from officers in an attempt to getaway. I was able to displace Mr. Johnson’s weight at which time he fell to the pavement. Officers tackled Mr. Johnson to the ground at which point he began to resist officers by pulling away. During the course of this, an officer was injured.”

Johnson allegedly continued to pull away from the officers at which time he was hit with the Taser, the affidavit says, but Johnson continued not to comply.

“The taser did not take effect and Mr. Johnson continued to flee from officers,” the affidavit says. “As he ran, it resulted in him pulling my taser from my hands. Mr. Johnson continued running southbound from West Pleasant Street toward South Center Street.”

An officer was able to catch up with Johnson and take him to the ground, the affidavit says. While doing so, the officer was injured, according to the affidavit.

The man continued to struggle with police, the affidavit says and as a result, a third officer was injured.

Johnson was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center where he was treated and then prepared to be taken to the Clark County Jail. However, Johnson appeared to try to flee police again, the affidavit says.

“Mr. Johnson broke free of an officer’s grip and attempted to run through the parking lot,” the affidavit says. “A sergeant was able to cut off Mr. Johnson at which time he stated ‘I’m just joking.’ He was then transported to the Clark County Jail.

A next court date in the case has not been set.

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