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Target shoplifter's arrest prompts investigation of Fort Collins Police officer

Posted at 5:46 PM, Apr 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-06 23:06:13-04

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A Fort Collins officer was placed on administrative following the arrest of a shoplifting suspect last month.

According to a statement released Friday by the Fort Collins Police Department, the officer may have used excessive force to place a female shoplifter under arrest at a Target store.

A Target employee sustained injuries caused by the suspect, according to police. The suspect, whose name has not been released, also suffered injuries during the incident and was transported to an area hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Larimer County Jail.

Police said the unnamed officer was on his way home on March 29 when he responded to the Target store after hearing the call for service over the radio.

When he arrived, he attempted to take the adult female suspect into custody while she verbally and physically resisted, a police statement read.

Police said it took approximately six minutes and an additional officer using a non-lethal weapon to get the suspect in handcuffs.

Authorities said video of the incident reviewed by senior staff at the department raised concerns about the officer’s actions during the arrest. But they did not release details.

Chief Terry Jones reached out to the district attorney's office and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and asked them to review the event to determine if criminal charges against the officer are warranted.

The shoplifting suspect is facing charges of theft, third-degree assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction of a police officer.