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BOARDMAN -- An Austintown man is accused of grabbing an officer's Taser while fighting with police during a traffic stop Tuesday.
A Boardman police report states officers found a stolen handgun beneath Wilburn Floyd Jones, 37, during the struggle. Police used a Taser on Jones twice before taking him into custody.
Jones is charged with robbery, a second-degree felony; having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony; carrying a concealed weapon and receiving stolen property, both fourth-degree felonies; obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony; resisting arrest, a first-degree misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
An officer stopped a Mini Cooper near Southern Boulevard and Homestead Drive shortly after 4 p.m. for an expired registration, according to police.
Jones was sitting in the front passenger seat without a seat belt. The report states Jones appeared nervous, avoided eye contact and looked around while speaking with him. The officer called for backup after Jones' background check revealed an extensive criminal history.
The report states the driver gave police permission to search the car, but when they ordered Jones to get out, he repeatedly refused. When an officer opened the passenger door and told Jones to place his hands behind his back, Jones tried to run away, police allege.
The report states the officer grabbed Jones and forced him to the ground, but Jones kept both hands near the front of his waistband as police struggled to restrain him.
One officer struck Jones twice in the ribs and applied pressure near his jaw to make him comply, but neither tactic was effective. The officer then drew his Taser but Jones allegedly pulled it from his hand and threw it toward the road. The second officer recovered the Taser and used it on Jones.
During the struggle, police allegedly saw a 9mm handgun underneath Jones' legs and believed he was trying to reach for it. One officer pulled Jones away from the weapon while the other picked it up and threw it out of his reach.
The report states Jones pulled out the Taser probes and continued resisting. An officer loaded another cartridge and shocked Jones a second time before police were able to handcuff him.
Police later learned the handgun had been reported stolen in Warren. Records show Jones also was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a previous felony conviction. He later told police that the driver gave him the handgun before the traffic stop and told him to hide it in his pants.
Police also said they found a burnt crack pipe in Jones' pocket.
Jones complained of pain in his leg and back and was taken to St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital for treatment. He was released about 9 p.m. and taken to the Mahoning County jail.
The report states one officer had pain in his right knee after the struggle, and the other sustained bruises to his arm, scrapes on his forearm and knees and a small cut on his hand. Both declined medical treatment. The driver was cited for expired registration.
Last year, Jones pleaded guilty to a 2023 theft charge and was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 177 suspended. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to grand theft auto and breaking and entering. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges. He also was indicted on multiple felony counts in October of that year and pleaded guilty to an amended charge of receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony, while charges of improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle and having weapons under disability -- fourth- and third-degree felonies respectively -- were dismissed.