04/05/17 Nazareth, PA – Police On Unrelated Call – Man Opens Passenger Side Of Patrol Car – Throws His Backpack Into Patrol Car – Tries To Steal Patrol Car – 4 Officers Subdued Him

April 5, 2017

wfmz.com

Authorities in Northampton County arrested a 33-year-old man they allege tried to steal a police car and fought with police officers from four different departments who tried to apprehend him.

Ian S. Shoemaker, no known address, faces more than a dozen charges following his arrest early Tuesday morning in Nazareth. District Judge John Capobianco arraigned Shoemaker, setting bail at $150,000.

Nazareth police were dispatched to the first block of East Prospect Street shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday on an unrelated matter. While speaking with the caller, a borough police officer watched as a man later identified as Shoemaker open the door to his squad car and toss a backpack into the passenger seat, according to court records.

Shoemaker hopped inside and tried to drive away before being stopped. As the officer attempted to take him into custody, Shoemaker began struggling, citing Bible passages in the middle of the street and said, “You’re not taking me to (expletive) jail,” according to court records.

Authorities said Shoeamaker’s bloodshot, glassy eyes, slurred speech and enlarged pupils signaled he was under the influence.

Police said he repeatedly resisted arrest. Shoemaker was finally taken into custody with the help of two upper Nazareth Township police officers and a Taser.

He didn’t go quietly, though, as he allegedly began screaming in the middle of the street and continued to resist arrest and try to assault the officers, according to records. Eventually, officers from the Bushkill Township and Colonial Regional police departments assisted in Shoemaker’s arrest.

Authorities said they found eight baggies of cocaine in Shoemaker’s possession.

Police charged him with three counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment along with single counts of public drunkenness, resisting arrest, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, theft, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shoemaker failed to post bail and was sent to Northampton County Prison to await a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for April 18.