Updated: Suspect takes Lexington cop’s taser during altercation at fast food restaurant
A Lexington police officer and a woman were both taken to the hospital Wednesday afternoon after the two got in an altercation at a Wendy’s restaurant, according to Lexington police.
The incident took place just after noon at the Wendy’s on Thunderstick Drive, police said. An officer was dispatched to the restaurant for a report of a person who attempted to use a counterfeit bill.
The responding officer confirmed the bill in question was counterfeit and identified the suspect, an adult woman, according to police. The suspect was later identified as Bryana Harlan, 25.
Harlan had a firearm on her but the officer was able to secure it.
Police said the officer was trying to arrest Harlan when an altercation ensued. During the altercation, Harlan took the officer’s taser. She tried to use the taser but was unsuccessful, police said.
Harlan fled but was later located and arrested not far from the scene, according to police. Police also got the taser back, but police didn’t say where the taser was recovered.
Both Harlan and the officer were taken to the hospital for minor injuries, police said. Harlan has been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, criminal possession of a forged instrument, possessing a gun as a convicted felon, wanton endangerment, resisting arrest, tampering with physical evidence and fleeing police.
Harlan also had multiple warrants out of Madison County, police said.
Editor’s note: The suspect took a Lexington officer’s taser and attempted to use it but was unsuccessful, according to police. The taser was then recovered by police. This story has been updated to include that information.
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 2:30 PM.
