Tampa police officer disarms man dressed as security guard

TAMPA — A police officer stopping to fill up at a gas station early Monday disarmed a 58-year-old man who was dressed as a security guard and threatening people with a handgun.

Just after midnight, officer Regina Ziegler stopped at the Circle K and Shell Gas station at 1451 E Fowler Ave. to gas up her marked police car when she saw a man leave the store and approach another car parked outside, according to an incident report.

Ziegler said the man appeared heavily intoxicated and was wearing a Walker Security Services uniform.

Ziegler started to walk toward him to question him when another gas station customer told her the man, later identified as Steven Anthony Jackson, had just threatened people with a handgun, according to the report.

As Jackson started to get into his car, Ziegler saw what looked like a gun tucked into his pants, police said. After requesting backup, Ziegler moved toward Jackson, asking him to get out of his car.

He reluctantly complied, but began making suspicious movements around his waistband, police said. Ziegler pulled out her weapon and quickly disarmed Jackson, police said.

But Ziegler continued to struggle and overpowered Jackson until a backup officer arrived and helped handcuff him, authorities said.

Jackson, of 1274 E 113th Ave., Apt. 109, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and obstructing an officer without violence.

Police said Jackson did not have a concealed weapons permit. Officers also found a large folding knife concealed in his pants.

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