HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) — A Highland Park man is facing multiple charges for allegedly escaping police custody and trying to tase an officer last week.
David Soward, 29, was arraigned Monday on eight total counts, including escape from jail through violence and disarming a peace officer, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday.
The charges stem from an incident on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Highland Park Police Department on Woodward Avenue near the Davison Freeway.
That night, according to the prosecutor’s office, Soward allegedly assaulted an officer as he was being escorted from his cell. Soward allegedly then disarmed the officer of his taser and deployed it.
The officer was hit in the leg, but the taser did not take effect, officials said.
When officers outside the jail area ordered Soward to surrender, he allegedly refused and pointed it at another inmate. He was eventually tased by officers and detained.
Soward has also been charged with resisting and obstructing police causing injury, possession of a taser, two counts of felonious assault and two counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.
His bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety and a court appearance has been scheduled for Dec. 23.
Officials have not said why Soward was at the jail prior to the incident.