Man on drugs swings on police, gets tased, and urinates in cell, police say

A Wayne man is behind bars facing felony charges after a drug-induced fight with police, authorities said.

Samuel Mercurious Bowen, 29, of the 400 block of Woodland Avenue in Wayne, was taken into custody, police said, after an incident in Radnor Township on Dec. 6. According to police reports, Radnor Township Police Department was dispatched to the vicinity of Woodland Avenue and Eagle Road for the report of a “suspicious person in the area” around 10:48 p.m. The man was described as wearing a bright red jacket and glasses. One witness recorded a video of the man as he drove by him, depicting the man chasing after his car.

Police said that, while searching the area, they located a man matching the description. He was approaching the door of a home on Woodland, later identified to be his residence, police said. Police commanded Bowen to turn around and walk toward them, but Bowen did not obey, according to police.

Bowen was stopped on the front porch, police said, where he began to speak to them. Police reported his words “did not make any sense,” that he spoke “with slurred speech, displayed abnormally large pupils and was unsteady on his feet. Police said the signs were “indicators that someone is under the influence of a narcotic.” Despite continued commands, police said Bowen proceeded to head into the residence.

Police then reported that they attempted to cuff Bowen to take him into custody for further investigation. However, Bowen “became combative” and also “swung on officers with closed fists.” Police said they did then deploy a taser but no connection was made due to outer layers of clothing.

Police said they struggled with Bowen, advising him to stop resisting arrest. Police eventually cuffed him and carried him to the patrol car, screaming, said police, attracting the attention of many neighbors and onlookers. After being placed in the car, officers spoke to Bowen’s mother who was able to identify him, advising he had a “history of drug abuse, specifically PCP.” 

Bowen was transported to police headquarters, where police said he continued to ignore commands. He removed all of his clothing prior to being placed in a cell, police said, and urinated on the floor.

Bowen is facing a felony charge of assault of a law enforcement officer, as well as misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, two counts of simple assault, and institutional vandalism of an educational facility. Bowen was held in county jail until Dec. 8 when a cash bail of $7,500 (10 percent of $75,000) was provided for his release.

According to court documents, Bowen is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 9 before Magisterial District Judge Sloan Walker.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.