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CLEVELAND (WJW) — Video obtained by the FOX 8 I-Team shows what police said happened when a man ran onto Progressive Field during a Cleveland Guardians game and tried to steal a police officer’s gun.
You see the incident, even while the suspect was in handcuffs.
Faman-Zan Traore now faces felony charges.
The incident happened last month, and a video clip provides a snapshot of what led to the charges.
You see two officers try to lead a man off of the field as he resists.
At one point, you also see the man’s hand move over an officer’s gun.
Cuyahoga County prosecutors indicted Traore on charges of aggravated robbery, resisting arrest and more.
“Oh, its chilling to see,” Andy Gasiewski, president of the Cleveland police union, said.
We showed him the video, and he pointed out how this could have put officers in danger, as well as tens of thousands of fans. Bad things can quickly happen, even with suspects handcuffed.
“Even in handcuffs, they have gotten hold of Tasers and weapons and used them against other law enforcement agencies around the country,” Gasiewski said.
A report shows the suspect had walked into the stadium without a ticket. When police tried to get him to leave, he jumped onto the field.
Cuyahoga County prosecutors are taking the incident seriously.
“It’s one of the biggest concerns of our office is to keep people safe,” Assistant County Prosecutor Owen Patton said.
“The charges that we have are that he attempted to remove a firearm from an officer who was working in his official capacity at the time, and his actions were deliberate.”
Police said people try to steal officers’ guns more often than one might think.
Just last week, we found charges filed in Cleveland. Police had arrested a man for trying to steal an officer’s gun in a hospital. Records show that happened after the suspect had been told to leave.
“We’re always aware of our gun side, to keep it away from the public,” Gasiewski said. “Where you think you have the person, they’re going to be flailing around and grabbing at someone’s firearm.”
Court records show the suspect in this case pleaded not guilty and is free on bond.
Prosecutors said he could face prison time.
Police said at one point after leaving the field, that same suspect also tried to steal an officer’s Taser.
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Ed Gallek
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