Struggle Leads to Use of Taser by MH Police

Potential ‘Most Wanted’ tries to flee Morgan Hill police
Morgan Hill – A Morgan Hill Police officer twice tased a 36-year-old man who struggled violently with officers after attempting to run away.

Eddie Tomasetti, who would have been listed as one of Morgan Hill’s “Most Wanted” if he had not been arrested, was taken to Santa Clara County Jail early Tuesday morning on a variety of charges, MHPD Cmdr. Joe Sampson said.

Tomasetti was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for sale, resisting arrest through violence, giving false identification to a peace officer, possession of burglary tools, possession of drug paraphernalia, under the influence of methamphetamine, possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of hypodermic needles.

The incident began when officer Kyle Christensen stopped a vehicle at Cochrane Road at Sutter Boulevard because of an expired registration. Tomasetti was a passenger in the vehicle, and when Christensen asked him for identification, Tomasetti gave him a false name and did not present an ID card, Sampson said.

Christensen became suspicious and called for backup and when officer Jason Broyer arrived, the two ordered Tomasetti to get out of the car, but Tomasetti grabbed the car keys and tried to force the female driver to flee. When she refused, Tomasetti attempted to run.

As the two officers tried to take Tomasetti into custody, he struck Christensen in the neck and cheek with his elbow. Officers tried to take him down, but he resisted. Broyer then used his taser on Tomasetti, which did bring him to the ground, but then he began kicking and swinging wildly at the officers again, Sampson said, so Broyer used his taser a second time.

Tomasetti was taken into custody without a further struggle. Officers found close to 36 grams of crystal methamphetamine – a street value of about $4,000 – in Tomasetti’s clothing.

Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.