A police officer needed to use a Taser to subdue a man who allegedly fled from his vehicle following a downtown traffic stop Monday night.

After Officer Brett McIntire was finally able to subdue him, McIntire arrested Paul E. McClain, 43, of Bath on several charges. McClain is charged with felony operating after revocation as well as OUI, and refusal to submit to arrest.

Lt. Stan Cielinski said Tuesday that McIntire saw a vehicle traveling without headlights on Leeman Highway, well after 9 p.m. When the officer stopped him, McClain fled with McIntire in pursuit, Cielinski said.

“He hid in bushes near the library,” Cielinski said. “Then he used his cellphone, which illuminated the screen and Officer McIntire saw it. He told him to come out of the bushes.”

McClain refused to get on the ground, then smacked McIntire’s arm away as the officer tried to handcuff him, Cielinski said.

“Then he fled again,” Cielinski said, “and Officer McIntire Tasered him. He got him in the hip, then handcuffed him and backup arrived.”

Safe job

Police have a solid lead on a man who they believe removed a safe and its belongings early Monday night from a North Bath Road residence.

Cielinski said that a woman reported a burglary at 5:57 p.m., as she returned from an errand. She found a side window open with the screen removed.

The woman then discovered that her safe, which had been secured, was gone, Cielinski said.

“The safe contained cash, jewelry, a birth certificate and medications,” Cielinski said.

Cielinski said that the woman’s son saw someone go to the house, and that the family is aware of his identity. Police expect to be in contact with him soon, the lieutenant said.

lgrard@timesrecord.com