VIDEO: Blytheville Bicycle Stop Leads to Taser Struggle, Escape, ASP Says

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. — An attempted bicycle stop led to a foot chase, two Taser deployments and a struggle over an Arkansas State Police trooper’s weapon before the man escaped, according to an incident report.

The encounter began around 9:40 p.m. Aug. 16 near Main and North 13th streets in Blytheville.

Trooper Tanner Seal reported seeing a man riding a bicycle without front or rear lights while traveling east in the westbound lanes. Seal activated his emergency lights, but the bicyclist allegedly turned onto a one-way street without signaling and continued south on 13th Street.

Seal pulled alongside the bicyclist and ordered him to stop, warning that he would use his Taser if the man continued fleeing, the report said.

The bicyclist, identified as 42-year-old James J. Spears Jr., stopped at Ash and 13th streets before jumping from the bicycle and running through a church parking lot, according to the report.

Spears allegedly yelled, “Y’all are always messing with me” and “I ain’t going back to prison” as Seal pursued him.

Seal reported catching Spears on the west side of the parking lot and deploying his Taser. Spears fell but allegedly got back up while the trooper attempted to place him in handcuffs.

Seal deployed his Taser a second time, but Spears again got up after the electrical cycle ended, the report said.

During an attempted drive-stun, Spears allegedly grabbed the Taser with both hands and pulled on it in an effort to disarm the trooper. Seal reported repeatedly ordering Spears to release the weapon and warning that lethal force could be used.

The struggle continued for approximately 15 seconds before Seal regained control of the Taser and holstered it, according to the report.

Spears then allegedly broke free and fled toward Ash Street. Seal continued pursuing him but fell during the chase and tore his uniform pants. Spears ran around the church building and could not be located.

Investigators identified Spears through belongings attached to the abandoned bicycle, including a wallet containing his identification card. The items were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Warrants were issued for Spears. The report lists possible charges of disarming an officer, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, fleeing on foot, resisting arrest, second-degree criminal mischief, operating a bicycle without lights, failure to signal, and traveling the wrong way on a one-way street. He was arrested on August 25, according to jail records.

Dash camera video provides only a limited view of the encounter and does not clearly capture much of the reported foot chase and struggle.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.