Man hits 14 year old with gas nozzle

A man was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly tried to steal a car at a gas station and hit a 14-year-old boy with a gas nozzle.

According to court documents, James M. Davenport entered the Phillips 66 gas station in the 700 block of Stadium Boulevard in Jefferson City. He told the clerk he was an undercover Jefferson City Police Officer and needed a vehicle for a case. When the clerk the clerk denied the request, Davenport allegedly went outside to a pump where a vehicle was getting fuel.

He made contact with the vehicle owner and her 14-year-old son and took the gas nozzle from the woman. When her son tried to defend her, Davenport allegedly then struck the 14 year old in the face with the gas nozzle, causing serious injury, according to court documents. He then went into the vehicle and started looking for keys.

When officers arrived on scene and approached Davenport, he fled on foot toward Target on Stadium Boulevard. While running, officers said Davenport threw a beer can at them. He was eventually detained after officers deployed a Taser.

He is being held in Cole County Jail on no bond.