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Grosse Pointe Woods Police Subdue Naked Man with Taser on Mack Avenue
A Grosse Pointe Woods public safety officer had to subdue a 29-year-old Livonia man who stripped himself of his clothing on Mack Avenue on Monday.
A 29-year-old Livonia man subdued by Taser on Monday by a Grosse Pointe Woods public safety officer blames his erratic behavior of stripping himself of his clothing and darting in and out of traffic on his usage of methamphetamine, which caused him to have an uncomfortable high in which he was "paranoid and out of his mind."
The officer employed the Taser only after not being able to stop the man from darting in and out of traffic and other officers arrived to attempt to subdue him. The man flagged down an officer and began running in and out of traffic, eventually taking off his clothing and continuing to run in and out of traffic naked, according to a report.
The man's actions were noticed by many passing motorists and neighboring residents, some of whom even took photographs.
The man flagged down a public safety officer shortly before 6 p.m. near Fleetwood and Mack avenues as the officer was leaving a dumpster fire at CVS. The man, who was disheveled in appearance and seemed upset, told the officer someone was trying to get him and he wanted the officer to stop them, according to a report.
Then he began darting in and out of the streets in the path of motorists and never explained further to the officer to what he was referring. Another officer was called to the scene in an attempt to help the first officer capture the man.
While running in and out of traffic, the man threw his keys, driver's license and a credit card at the officer and a resident found and turned in his cell phone. The cell phone was found in the field at Parcells Middle School.
Eventually an officer used a Taser to subdue the man, who fell to the ground. An EMS was called to the scene and the man was taken to St. John's Hospital, where officers were told he had been released from the hospital earlier the same day following a methamphetamine overdose Sunday.
The man was treated at the hospital and released. Medical personnel had to remove one of the Taser probes from his back and check out scratches to his forehead, according to a report.
Officers interviewed the man early Tuesday to discover he was high on meth and was seeking help from the officer, Detective Sgt. Ray Yonkowski said. He recognized that he was paranoid and did not like the feeling of the high from the meth, which is why he approached the officer, Yonkowski said.
The man swore to officers he would never use meth again because he did not like the experience, Yonkowski said.
The case will be reviewed by prosecutors but Yonkowski said it isn't likely to merit significant charges. At most, it would likely be a disorderly conduct charge, he said.
For questions on the police blotter, email sara.martin@patch.com.
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In This article
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CVS Pharmacy
20460 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI -
Charles A. Parcells Middle School
20600 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Kelly Pienta Shimko
8:54 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I was passing the scene & want to say "thank you" to the officer who showed the crazy, naked victim some compassion. The guy was successfully subdued, cuffed and no longer a threat to himself or others. One of the officer's, while waiting for the EMS, tactfully displayed actions of dignity and kindness. Not an easy thing to do when dealing with the general public. Kudos to you.
PWD
12:37 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Ms. Shimko -- your comment is somewhat dissonant. You express gratitude that the officers treated the man with compassion and dignity, yet you refer to him as 'crazy', certainly not a word that communicates much compassion on your part.
benjamin walker
8:31 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
When I first heard of this incident I was under the impression that the man was being Tasered by more than one officer which appeared to be "over-kill" and I was concerned about issues of police brutality. I am very pleased to know the police responded appropiately and with kindness and dignity. My thank you to the Woods police who do their job so very well.Police work is very difficult and to have men and women doing it in such a professional and appropiate way is a credit to them and to the entire community.
Chad Bateman
9:29 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sure, good work by the officers catching this man, but no charges? That is ridiculous. Enforcement here needs to stop being so naive and quit focusing on arresting "non residents" for well, being "non residents, and giving MIP's to underage drinkers. You have a man running naked through your city who is tweaking on meth and you have the audacity to not charge him? You should be embarrassed.
GP For Life
8:46 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Who wouldn't want to be a cop and get to interact with the public at their worst possible moments? Though, I really think this guy should give meth another try. Are two terrible experiences really enough to judge?
Kelly Pienta Shimko
9:19 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
@PWD - the fella was in a meth-induced, crazed state. I called his behavoir appropriately, crazy. Glad he didn't hurt anyone or himself. My compliment is for the officer who realized the guy was a victim and treated him compassionately. Personally, I think you over analyzed my comment and are looking for something that isn't there.
Mia
9:24 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012
PWD-....Really? After reading the article, THAT'S what bothered you most?!?!?! The (appropriate) use of the word "crazy" by Mrs. Shimko? Unbelievable. And then you say she isn't communicating "much compassion" on her part. She had just THANKED the Officer for showing compassion to the man while subduing him! This indicates to me that she actually CARED about the treatment of this man, she thought he should be shown dignity & kindness. This crazy ( yes, I that word again.....crazy ) man was high on Meth., naked, running in & out of traffic on MACK! You don't find his actions just a titch crazy? He put adults, children & Officers in a deadly situation........and the ONLY thing that bothered you was the use of the word "crazy"?!?!? No wonder Grosse Pointe is going to he** in a handbag) I am a nurse who has worked (with much compassion) several inner city ER's . I have dealt with many patients high on Meth. & let me tell you they are not easy to subdue when they're being HELPED! They have the strenght of 10 men, trust me. Imagine trying to handcuff him? It's like trying to catch a greased pig. Next to impossible. My hat goes off to the Officer or Officers that caught & subdued this man without incident, and then kept him covered instead of humiliating him. Please, take off the Rose- colored glasses you are wearing, open your eyes & look around. Your community isn't doing so well, my friend. This isn't an isolated incident....... And leave Mrs. Shimko alone!!!!!
Chad Bateman
11:45 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
Why is everyone applauding the efforts of the officers so much? They are paid to protect and serve, and this type of stuff happens daily in Detroit. And why no charges to this man? This is a travesty that this man was not charged with anything.
Mia
5:25 pm on Monday, April 30, 2012
Chad, I couldn't agree more with why he was NOT charged. Again, unbelievable! But that is NOT the Officers fault. Ultimately, It is not there decision to press charges. This problem is your local Judicial system & most of the "elected officials"......politicians. I went to council meetings, wrote many letters, sent many emails & I got "nothin'". More people must do this, you know, that whole "strength in numbers" thing. I saw many severe to very severe incidents at the schools, on the streets, etc. around there & almost always no consequences were given. If there were, they were VERY minor. Most are so afraid of stepping on toes or drawing attention to the problems in GP. I no longer live in GP, mostly due to these problems. I knew it wouldn't improve with the passive attitude the "powers that be" have, & it hasn't.....at all. In fact, it's getting worse & will continue to do so if nothing is done. As for the Officers, I still applaud their work. Their job is next to impossible, they're damned if they do & damned if they don't. You don't think it frustrates the Police(They ARE the Police, not "Public Safety Officers", as Grosse Pointe refers to them)when they make an arrest & then the the person is released,free to go? Well it DOES,trust me. People need to open their eyes,get off their a***s & go to City Council meetings AND express their concerns or anger,write letters,send emails, start petitions,hold rally's(they hate rally's),call the press,etc. Take Grosse Pointe back!