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Mistaken for drunk, Mr. Universe is arrested |
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Written by The Roving Reporter
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Wednesday, 04 April 2007 |
 REDWOOD
CITY, California (AP) -- The reigning Mr. Universe faces assault and
resisting arrest charges following a run-in with police who mistakenly
believed the diabetic bodybuilder was intoxicated.
Doug Burns,
43, was sprayed with Mace and wrestled to the ground by officers who
were summoned to a movie theater Sunday night by a security guard,
authorities said.
Burns, who was trying a new diabetes drug that
night, said Monday he was preparing to see a film when he felt
dizziness and poor vision -- a sign of low blood sugar -- and hurried
to a snack counter.
The security guard noticed Burns' strange
behavior and asked him to leave, thinking he was intoxicated, Redwood
City Police Capt. Chris Cessina said.
When officers arrived,
Burns allegedly lunged at one of them, pushing him to the ground with
both hands, and took a fighting stance, Cessina said. Burns continued
being combative until four officers wrestled him down, the captain said.
During
the scuffle, the officers did not notice Burns' Medic Alert bracelet.
An on-scene medical test later confirmed that Burns had low blood sugar
during the incident, Cessina said.
Despite the misunderstanding, Burns was charged with misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest.
"The
fact is Mr. Burns assaulted our officer," Cessina said. "If he had just
stood there and let us help him, maybe they would have called the
medics if he didn't seem to fit the description of being under the
influence."
Burns, a board member of the American Diabetes
Association who often speaks to raise awareness about the condition,
said he doesn't remember the incident clearly.
"I could
understand if I was belligerent or had track marks, but I was nicely
dressed and I don't think I fit the profile or smelled like alcohol,"
Burns told the San Mateo Daily Journal.
A court date has not yet been set in the case.
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