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Arlington Heights police use Taser on theft suspect

A 20-year-old Palatine woman was shot with a Taser by an Arlington Heights police officer last week after trying to flee a department store with stolen items, according to police.

Shannon Fittzpatrick, of the 4000 block of Bayside in Palatine, was arrested Oct. 28 after stealing clothes, cosmetics, a ring and a watch valued at $174 from a department store on the 800 block of West Dundee Road, according to police.

A security agent at the store attempted to stop her, but she made it to a field behind the store before a police officer stopped her. After struggling during the arrest, she pulled away from the officer and started running, police said. The officer ordered her to stop or be shot with the Taser, according to police.

“It was all within policy,” said Arlington Heights Cmdr. Michael Miljan. “She was tased because she was resisting arrest and fleeing.”

Miljan said the department has a review process for any situation requiring force, and the use in this case was deemed 100 percent within department policy.

“We've had many officers injured trying to arrest people, and since we began using the Taser, the amount of officer injuries has reduced dramatically.”

Fittzpatrick's court date is set for Nov. 23.

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