FHP: Man wearing Darth Vader mask attacked trooper

Unprovoked attack occurred near Orlando construction site, officials say

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was attacked in Orlando early Thursday by a man wearing a Darth Vader mask, authorities said.

Michael Cole, 28, of Orlando, was arrested on felony charges of resisting arrest and battery on an officer.

According to the FHP, a construction worker informed the trooper around 2:45 a.m. of an intoxicated man wearing a Darth Vader mask who was walking in the middle of a road near Summerlin Avenue and Anderson Street.

The trooper approached the masked man, later identified as Cole, and repeatedly asked him to get out of the road, the FHP said.  Cole instead cursed at the trooper and laid in the roadway, authorities said.

The trooper then told Cole to get up, but he attemtped to punch and kick the trooper, who deployed his Taser, according to the FHP.  Officials said Cole's thick jacket prevented the Taser from working, so the trooper used pepper spray to subdue him.

Local 6 News captured video showing the man screaming while being placed onto a stretcher.

Cole complained of shortness of breath and was taken to Florida Hospital South.  He was later released and booked into the Orange County Jail.

The trooper was not injured.

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Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.


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