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Suspect Ripped TASER Darts From Body, Fought Police In Macungie: Authorities

What began in a Macungie Turkey Hill ended with a struggle in the street on Thursday, after police say a man assaulted gas station customers and then led officers on a brief chase. 

Macungie Police

Macungie Police

Photo Credit: Facebook/Macungie Police Department

Ryan J. Jacobs, 44, of Temple, is charged with fleeing law enforcement, resisting arrest, simple assault, and related counts, Macungie police wrote in a release. 

Officers were called to the Turkey Hill at 141 W. Main St. on April 6, where an employee said Jacobs had "grabbed her" and "smashed her cell phone to prevent her from calling police," the department said. 

Two customers at the store said he had smashed their phones, too, the release says. 

When an officer approached Jacobs' vehicle in the parking lot, he "accelerated, nearly striking" the policeman, authorities claimed. He then fled north onto Route 100, "failing to yield" to pursuing officers, they continued. 

After turning right onto Willow Lane, Jacobs "abruptly stopped the vehicle and exited," according to the release. Police claim he was "reaching in his waistband" when they fired their TASER device at him. 

Jacobs then ripped the TASER darts from his skin and "began fighting" with responding officers, the department said. 

He was eventually subdued at the scene and taken to Lehigh County jail, police wrote. Jacobs remains in custody in lieu of a  $25,000 bond and is due in court for his preliminary hearing on April 13, court records show.  

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