Utica (WSYR-TV) – Utica Police say a naked man wielding a tree branch was high on bath salts when he ripped out Taser probes before they were finally able to subdue him and take him into custody around 12:30 a.m. on Friday.
According to police, an officer was on patrol near Genesee and Scott streets when he saw the naked man in the roadway, swinging the branch. When the officer approached him, the man allegedly said, “If you come near me, I’m going to kill you.”
Police say the man kicked a garbage can at a police car and also swung at an officer. When the officer used a Taser, the suspect walked away and ripped the probes out.
The officer finally took the suspect to the ground. After he was transported to the hospital, the man said he had been taking bath salts for days.
They charged Robert Kleps, 54, of Genesee Street, Utica, with disorderly conduct, a violation, and menacing and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors.
