Assailant Punches, Tries to Tase Man Over Dropped Cash at Shaw Bus Stop

D.C. Police say a man was arrested yesterday after punching and trying to tase another man during a fight over dropped cash at a bus stop in Shaw.

Police arrested Jeffrey Birth, 34, near the 700 block of Florida Avenue NW around 4:42 p.m. yesterday.

The incident started when a man waiting for the bus dropped cash on the ground, police say. Birth allegedly tried to snatch the cash from the ground and began to argue with the man when confronted. Police say Birth then punched the man, pulled out a taser and tried to shock him with it.

A police officer near the 1900 block of 7th Street NW witnessed part of the incident and approached the bus stop. Police say Birth then tried to tase the man again before fleeing from the officer.

Birth was chased down by the officer and arrested shortly thereafter. He faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault, drug possession and possession of a destructive device.

The victim was not injured during the alleged assault, say police.

Information regarding Birth’s lawyer was not immediately available.

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