A former Colorado physician accused of sexually assaulting a lady on the Western Slope was arrested in Florida on Monday after stating “he would not be taken into custody alive” and opening hearth on officers, in response to police.
Thomas Steffens, 72, was arrested in Vero Beach, Florida, after he began taking pictures at U.S. Marshals and native legislation enforcement throughout a visitors cease. Vero Beach is roughly 80 miles north of Palm Beach.
Steffens, a former neurosurgeon, is accused of utilizing prescription treatment to drug and sexually assault a lady in Grand Junction on Jan. 28, in response to Grand Junction police and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
A LinkedIn and WebMD web page for Steffens each state he labored for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A VA spokesperson didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Florida investigators began on the lookout for Steffens after receiving data that he was touring within the space and had mentioned he wouldn’t be arrested alive, in response to the Indian River sheriff’s workplace.
When a process power of native and federal officers pulled over the car, Steffens was within the passenger seat, refused to get out and began taking pictures on the 5 officers on scene.
The driver acquired out of the car earlier than Steffens began taking pictures.
Officers returned hearth, and Steffens was struck a number of instances, sheriff’s officers mentioned. A U.S. Marshal was additionally shot within the leg throughout the encounter.
Steffens was taken to the hospital and is predicted to outlive. He is now going through tried homicide costs in Florida in addition to sexual assault and assault costs in Grand Junction, police officers mentioned.
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