Brackenridge officer uses Taser to arrest assault suspect

A Brackenridge police officer used a Taser to subdue a man who tried running back into his house when the officer attempted to place him under arrest on assault charges Sunday, a criminal complaint states.

Frederick Joseph Leeman Jr., 47, of Hazlett Avenue is charged with simple assault, resisting arrest and harassment.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called about 9 a.m. to Hazlett Avenue for a reported assault. An officer found the alleged victim with blood coming from his nose and a small cut on the bridge of his nose, police said.

The man told police that Leeman, his neighbor, started hitting the man’s dog after Leeman claimed the man’s dog had bit his dog, according to the complaint.

When the man tried to stop Leeman from hitting the dog, Leeman punched him in the nose, knocking him to the ground, the complaint states. The man said he wanted to press charges, police said.

While the officer was talking with the man, the complaint says, Leeman came out of his house yelling that the officer needed to talk to him. The officer approached Leeman and told him to put his hands behind his back and that he was under arrest for the assault, police said.

According to the complaint, Leeman pulled away from the officer and tried to run back into his house. The officer deployed his Taser; Leeman then complied, put his hands behind his back and was taken into custody, the complaint said.

Police said Leeman admitted to punching the man in the face and nose.

Leeman was arraigned Sunday and released on a nonmonetary bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 before District Judge Carolyn S. Bengel.