WEBSTER, Texas, July 2 (UPI) --
Texas police used a stun gun on a minister, then arrested him for allegedly interfering with a traffic stop in his church parking lot, police said.
Officers also used pepper spray to disperse about 40 congregants who surrounded the arresting officer, police in Webster, Texas, said.
Police Chief Ray Smiley told the Houston Chronicle pastor Jose Elias Moran, 42, of Iglesia Profetica Peniel church, pushed two police officers in the incident -- an allegation Moran's family disputes.
United Press International could not reach Moran for comment.
Smiley told the Chronicle an officer was talking with a motorist in the church parking lot and discovered the man had no car insurance.
Moran approached the officer and demanded to know why a member of his congregation had been stopped, Smiley said.
"He said we were on private property and wanted us off the property," Smiley told the newspaper. "He was pretty aggressive."
When the officer ordered Moran to leave, and Moran refused, the officer told him he was under arrest, Smiley said.
Moran pushed the officer as he tried to handcuff him and fled inside the church, Smiley said.
Later, Moran came out with a group of about 40 people who surrounded the officer, Smiley said. The officer, fearing for his safety, used pepper spray to disperse the crowd, police said.
When backup officers tried to make the arrest, Moran allegedly pushed another officer, who used his Taser to subdue him, Smiley said.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International
All Rights Reserved.


