Man arrested at Target poured glue on floor, tried to take officers’ guns, police say

Police say a 25-year-old St. Louis man fought with officers in the Fairview Heights Target on Friday, grabbing both officers’ stun guns, attempting to take their handguns and resisting arrest.

De’angelas F. Lee was eventually arrested and charged with battery to an officer, resisting arrest, disarming an officer, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

Fairview Heights police were called to Target on North Illinois Street at about 1:21 p.m. Friday by employees who said a man was pouring glue on the floor and had refused to leave.

According to police, Lee was drinking lemonade he had picked up in the store and pouring glue in the store’s aisles.

When police arrived, they asked Lee to leave the store, but he refused. After several minutes, two officers began to place Lee under arrest, Lt. John Proffitt said.

Lee then allegedly began to resist and fight with officers, prompting Officers Aaron Nyman and Alex Joseph to use both their stun guns on him. Neither stun had any effect on Lee, Proffitt said.

As Lee continued to fight officers, he grabbed both of their stun guns, Proffitt said. He also tried to grab their guns but was unsuccessful.

After several minutes, the officers successfully restrained Lee. During the struggle, Nyman received a minor cut on his finger, Proffitt said.

Proffitt said he believes Lee was under the influence of drugs based on his strange behavior and the fact that the stun guns did not affect him.

Lee was in custody as of Tuesday morning on a $100,000 bail.

This story was originally published August 28, 2018 at 9:54 AM.