Tasers used on two men by Atwater police officers

Two men were subdued with stun guns by Atwater police during two recent incidents.

The first happened Sunday about midnight, according to Lt. Sam Joseph.

Police noticed a suspicious vehicle in an area with a high number of burglaries, and caught up to it in the 1400 block of Maple Street. Four people exited when the vehicle stopped, and the driver fled on foot.

The driver, Angelo Flores, 19, was found hiding in the back yard of a vacant residence on Sierra Vista Street. Police said Flores later said he fled because he didn't have a driver's license and knew his vehicle had expired tags.

Police say one of the detained occupants of the car, Jeremy Bowden, 21, told an officer it would be "on" the next time they met. Police said they told Bowden to leave so they could continue their investigation, but he refused.

Officers said they told Bowden he'd face arrest for failing to obey their order, and that he replied, "Take me to jail."

Officer David Walker attempted to grab Bowden's arm, but Bowden turned and pulled away. Cpl. Armando Echevarria used his Taser, striking Bowden in the abdomen, and subdued him. Bowden and Flores were arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest.

The other incident happened in the parking lot of an am-pm minimarket at Applegate Road and Bell Drive about midnight Monday. Officer Lorin Mann had encountered Dylan Cook, 20, and tried to take him into custody on outstanding domestic violence and probation violation warrants.

Cook physically resisted, police said. Officer Jason Dasilva used his Taser in "drive stun" mode -- placing it against the suspect's body -- to subdue him.

Cook was released to Riggs ambulance after complaining of chest pains and high blood pressure. Cook wasn't booked into jail, Joseph said, but he'll be sent a notice to appear on the outstanding warrants.