Trenton Police Pepper Spray Driver Who 'Could Not Be Late for Work'

A Trenton police officer used pepper spray on a 60-year-old man who allegedly attempted to elude the officer to avoid being late for work at about 4 a.m. Nov. 16 at the Chrysler Trenton Engine Plant, according to a Trenton police report.

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The officer attempted to make a traffic stop on Fort Street near Lathrup Road while driving behind a man in a silver Dodge Dart driving the car at speeds of up to 75 mph, according to the same report.

The officer said the car continued at 45 mph and turned into the parking lot at 2000 Van Horn Road where the driver parked the car in a parking spot near the engine plant's entrance turnstiles.

The man exited the car and, despite the officer's numerous verbal directions to get back in the car, he began walking toward the back of the car and said, "No, I can't be late for work," according to the report.

The officer said the man began running toward the turnstiles where he used a badge to unlock the turnstile. The officer then grabbed him and ordered him to stop.

The man, "continued to shout that he could not be late for work" and the officer forced him to the ground after a brief struggle, according to the report.

The officer said the man attempted to get up several times and after several warnings he sprayed the man with pepper spray. The man then complied to further commands. He placed his hands behind his back and was handcuffed.

The man was arrested and his car was impounded. He was decontaminated at the Trenton Police Station and issued a violation for speeding.

Contact editor Nate Stemen natestemen@patch.com for questions on police reports.