ISP: Gary Man Fights Trooper and K-9 During Traffic Stop

Source: (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

GARY, Ind. — State Police say a Gary man with a criminal record was arrested after a seemingly simple traffic stop Monday turned into a fight with a trooper and his K-9.

Trooper Ben Beers stopped Shelley Cooper near Burr Street and 10th Avenue for an “improper headlight.” There, he learned that Cooper had a suspended license…and he noticed signs of drugs and alcohol.

According to ISP, the officer then asked Cooper to get out of the car so he could pat him down and conduct field sobriety tests. But, that’s when police note that the situation escalated.

Cooper apparently got into a “struggle” with the trooper, ran, and even tried to pull a gun out of his pants before running again. So, K-9 Zero chased after him and bit him, and Trooper Beers tased him.

At some point during this incident, ISP says Cooper – described as a “large man” – laid on top of Zero “with all of his body weight.” Thankfully, neither Zero nor Trooper Beers were hurt.

The Gary man was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, before being sent to the Lake County Jail. He is facing charges for resisting law enforcement, cruelty to a law enforcement animal, and more.

Source: Photo Courtesy of Indiana State Police / ISP