Florence Police Chief, Officer Assaulted

Florence Police Chief Mike DeLaurentis said he was assaulted while trying to arrest a shoplifting suspect at the Dollar General store Tuesday afternoon.

DeLaurentis tells KRDO NewsChannel 13 a male shoplifting suspect hit him with a rack, causing a minor shoulder injury. The chief had to use a stun gun on the suspect, who then ran to an alley near the Kwik Stop, where he was later arrested.

A female suspect was also arrested on a warrant.

The two suspects’ names will be released Wednesday, said DeLaurentis.

The chief and another Florence Police Officer have minor injuries.