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Officer stuck by needle during search
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A policeman was stuck with a needle as he tried to subdue an irate shoplifter at Walmart.The suspect, Shaun David Sparkman, 30, of Sparta faces shoplifting and disorderly conduct charges but could also face additional charges for the needle that pricked patrolman Jared Jacobs as he was searching the suspect prior to his arrest. Jacobs was taken for treatment but it is not believed he suffered any critical injury.The suspect was caught stealing items from the health and beauty section of the store and was confronted by Walmart loss prevention personnel when he passed the last point of sale without paying for the items. The items included cologne, perfume, deodorant and wart remover, the total of the items coming to around $48.Officer Jacobs said when he arrived, he found Sparkman arguing with loss prevention and tried to take the man to the back of the store to get information on the shoplifting.“He was cussing and screaming and trying to pull away and was placed in handcuffs,” Jacobs said in his arrest warrant against Sparkman.It was during a search of the suspect’s person that Jacobs was stuck with a needle with residue which was concealed on the suspect’s person.