Southbury Police Taze Allegedly Drunk, Irate Teen

A Southbury Police officer had to use his taser Wednesday night to subdue a 19-year-old teen.

The teen was reportedly drunk and irate when he disobeyed the officer's command and began charging at him. The incident took place at 12:37 a.m. on Oct. 16 when the officer spotted a vehicle parked in a handicap spot at People's Choice Mobil without a handicap sticker.

The driver, who police identified as Paul Philip Zaloumis, of Charleston, S.C., appeared dazed and intoxicated, police said. The officer also reportedly smelled burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. 

"During the investigation, Zaloumis became irate and came charging out of his vehicle at Officer Burns," the report states. 

The officer verbally warned him to stop and then used his taser to subdue Zaloumis, the report states. 

Numerous items of paraphernalia and marijuana were subsequently found in the vehicle, police said.

Zaloumis was taken to Waterbury hospital for minor injuries sustained during the incident, police said. He was treated and released.

Police charged him with:

• Assault on a police officer
• DUI
• Unauthorized use of handicap parking space
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of less than a half ounce of marijuana

Zaloumis was released on a $20,000 bond and is due in court on Oct. 23.