Chubbuck man facing multiple charges after attacking officers with sword
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CHUBBUCK — A Chubbuck man is in custody after allegedly striking a police officer with a Samurai-type sword during a disturbance Wednesday.
Jared Whitaker, 34, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a police officer, first-degree stalking and an enhancement for assault on certain personnel, all of which are felonies. Whitaker was also charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
In a press release Thursday, Chubbuck police said officers responded to a report of a suspicious male subject at 330 West Chubbuck Road at about 10 p.m.
It was reported that a male subject was banging on an adjacent trailer in the trailer park and acting aggressively toward other residents in the trailer park.
Officers arrived on scene and initially contacted the male subject who was also verbally aggressive toward officers, but he returned to his home.
The officer remained in the area to ensure the safety of the other residents even though some of them left out of fear for their own safety.
Some time later, the suspect exited his home with a Samurai-type sword and approached a neighboring trailer, growling and again acting in an aggressive manner.
Officers ordered the suspect to drop the sword, but he refused.
The officers were in close proximity to the suspect and grabbed his arms to place him into custody. He refused their commands and began actively resisting, at one point striking an officer with the butt end of the sword.
Officers with the CPD deployed their Tasers multiple times in an attempt to subdue the suspect without success.
As three Chubbuck officers were physically attempting to take the subject into custody, a deputy with the Bannock County Sheriff’s Officer arrived on scene and successfully Tasered Whitaker, at which point Whitaker was placed under arrest.
A $50,000 bond was requested in the case, and Whitaker was arraigned Thursday.
Chubbuck police said the incident was extremely dangerous for everyone involved, and officers’ training and experience played a vital role in bringing a combative subject into custody as safely as possible.
The press release said the incident demonstrates the level of cooperation between local law enforcement agencies.
This article was originally published in the Idaho State Journal. It is used here with permission.