Police use Taser to subdue juvenile theft suspect

Evanston police say they had to use a Taser to subdue a 16-year-old Evanston youth who was assaulting officers who were trying to question him about a theft.

Cmdr. Jay Parrott says officers on patrol about 5 p.m. Wednesday in the 1900 block of Dempster Street were approached by a 14-year-old male who said he'd spotted the youth who'd stolen his skate board on Tuesday near Mason Park at Florence Avenue and Church Street.

Parrott says that when officers approached the youth the victim said had stolen the skateboard, he immediately began to fight with the officers, striking two of them. That led one of the officers to use the Taser to subdue him.

Parrott says the officers were then able to handcuff the 16-year-old without further incident.

The suspect was examined at a local hospital and released to police custody for transport to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.

He's now been charged with theft, resisting arrest, and two counts of aggravated battery to police. His name's not being released because he's a juvenile.

An officer struck in the head during the incident was treated and released at a local hospital.