A suspect on the run tried to wrestle with a Springfield police officer and even managed to discharge the officers weapon during the struggle.
Yesterday afternoon around 2 officers were conducting a narcotics investigation on South Durkin Drive.
32 year old Deandre Townes was pulled over but then ran from the scene and police gave chase. Townes then turned and charged at an officer, and the officer took him to the ground.
Townes then tried to grab the officer’s duty firearm from its holster causing it to fire. Additional offices arrived and had to use a taser to get Townes to release his hold on the firearm.
During a search of his vehicle the officers located 28.5 grams of meth, over 2 grams of heroin, over 9 grams of cocaine, and a 9mm pistol.
Townes was arrested for aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon, attempt to disarm a peace officer, armed habitual criminal, methamphetamine delivery, manufacture and deliver of a controlled substance, aggravated battery to a police officer, armed violence, and resisting or obstructing a police officer.
He is being held in the Sangamon County Jail awaiting formal charges.