NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Ronnie Irby is no stranger to police. He's an ex-convict who served time in the state penitentiary for burglary, theft and cocaine convictions in west Tennessee.
On July 21, Metro police were called to the Murfreesboro Road Krystal restaurant where Irby worked after his manager allegedly caught him stealing more than $800 from the restaurant.
Video from the taser gun shows Metro officers order Irby to get on the ground and surrender.
Irby ignores the command and instead walks around the parking lot, insisting he has done nothing wrong.
Police fire the taser gun and Irby drops to the ground.
He isn't down for long.
The video shows him up again moments later and walking away from police.
A second officer fires his taser gun but it has minimal effect after Irby trips on his own pants.
Irby get up a second time and walks back into the restaurant.
He resists arrest for several minutes more before finally surrendering.
Metro police said the taser gun is designed to prevent suspect injury and officer injury and the officers "did not want to have to fight Mr. Irby."
"He is six foot, one and weighs 300 pounds. Fighting isn't in his best interest or the police officer's best interest," said police spokesperson Don Aaron.
Aaron said given Irby's history, he knows full well what, "you're under arrest means" and concluded "I guess finally realized it was in his best interest to do what they said."
Police said 6 days after the incident Irby pleaded guilty to theft charges and is now serving a one year sentence in jail.
