Man allegedly tries to grab cop's gun, gets tased

Kaylee Brewster, Lewiston Tribune, Idaho
·2 min read

Dec. 22—A 29-year-old Clarkston man allegedly tried to grab a police officer's gun during an altercation that ended with him getting tased and charged with two felonies.

Adam B. Riggs was charged with attempting to remove a firearm from a law enforcement officer, a felony, as well as possession of a controlled substance for methamphetamine, also a felony. He was also charged with three misdemeanors for resisting arrest, providing false information and having drug paraphernalia.

A Lewiston police officer was driving early Thursday, shortly after midnight, and nearly struck an individual on a bicycle at the intersection of First Street and Southway Avenue. The bicyclist didn't have lights or reflectors on the bike. The officer made contact with the subject at the Nom Nom on Southway. The man, later identified as Riggs, allegedly gave the officer a false name, according to the probable cause affidavit.

When another officer arrived, Riggs allegedly fled on foot into the gas station and into the bathroom. The officers ran after Riggs, telling him to stop, and forced open the bathroom door. The altercation continued in the bathroom as officers attempted to detain Riggs, according to the affidavit.

One of the officers told Riggs that he was going to be tased and Riggs allegedly reached to the officer's side and placed his hand on the gun and was starting to pull the gun out of its holster. The officer told the other officer, "he's grabbing my gun," according to the affidavit.

The other officer then tased Riggs and he was taken into custody. It was later discovered that Riggs had two misdemeanor warrants out of Nez Perce County. A jacket left by him during the altercation was found and allegedly contained baggies of methamphetamine.

The maximum penalty for possession of a controlled substance is seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine and the maximum penalty for attempting to remove a firearm from a law enforcement officer is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Riggs made his initial appearance Thursday before Judge Sunil Ramalingam at the Nez Perce County Courthouse. Rick Cuddihy was appointed as his public defender and his next court date was set for Jan. 3.

Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.