A drug suspect was tasered after refusing to stop for Atlantic City police Wednesday, police said.
Robert Hart, 32, of Pleasantville, ran when Officers Eugene Laielli and Ermindo Marsini tried to stop him in the 1300 block of Mediterranean Avenue at about 11:30 a.m. as part of a drug investigation, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
While running, Hart was seen struggling with an object in his waistband which is a common location that individuals conceal handguns.
Laielli, who is assigned a conducted energy device, ordered Hart to stop running and get on the ground or Officer Laielli would use his CED, Fair said.
Hart refused to comply and continued running and was hit with the device. Hart allegedly attempted to discard heroin and cocaine that he retrieved from his pants.
He was taken into custody and the narcotics were recovered, Fair said.
Ambulance personnel arrived on scene to evaluate Hart, who declined medical treatment and was not injured. There were also no injuries to the officers.
He is charged with obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, and two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin and cocaine).
Hart was released on a summons and provided with a future court date.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766. Information can be text to TIP411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD. All texts are anonymous.
