VERO BEACH — A naked man who hosed himself down at a stranger’s home and attacked an officer before hopping into a nearby patrol car, was shocked with a Taser and hospitalized, authorities said.
Several motorists spotted the Vero Beach man, in his late 30’s, near a busy intersection at 20th Street and 6th Avenue, Vero Beach Police spokesman Master Officer Darrell Rivers said. Officers think the man was possibly under the influence of a hallucinogenic and stimulant drug, such as bath salts.
“He said his head was hot and that he needed water to cool off,” Rivers said. “People who are on bath salts normally feel like they are burning up. It’s very common for them to get naked to get cool.”
Rivers also said individuals who have taken bath salts usually have super human strength.
“He was able to pull two prongs out (after being tased),” Rivers said. Besides hallucinations, bath salts can also cause people to have paranoia, anger and rapid heartbeats, health officials said.
No serious injuries were reported. Rivers said the man, whose name was not released, will undergo a mental health evaluation.
Possible charges could be added later, Rivers said.
The incident unfolded about 2 p.m. Thursday when more than 25 people called 911 about a naked man rinsing himself off with a hose near S.R. 60, Rivers said. Thousands of motorists drive by the busy intersection everyday.
When a Vero Beach police officer arrived at the scene, the man ran northbound toward Miracle Mile Plaza, one of the busiest shopping areas in town. Rivers said the man ran into Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, went to the manager’s office in the back and said he needed water.
“The store was full of customers,” Rivers said. Rivers said the man had a strong chemical smell coming from his body.
Rivers said an older retired policeman chased the man out of the store. An officer arrived and wrestled with the man to detain him.
“As soon as the officer approached, the man attacked (the officer) right away,” Rivers said.
Rivers said the man ran around the police car and hopped in the driver’s seat. The officer then deployed his Taser on the man, hitting him with two prongs.
The man pulled the prongs from his body and attacked the officer again.
“The Taser wasn’t effective,” Rivers said.
Rivers said two more officers pulled up and helped to detain the man. The man was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital for treatment.
Police were working to obtain surveillance footage of the event from Hand & Stone Massage. The incident remains under investigation.
