Police used a Taser on a man suspected of breaking into the Essex Library last week and stealing $14.50 from a change tray.

The incident happened last Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the library in the 1100 block of Eastern Boulevard. Police say at 8:30 a.m., shortly before the library opened, a man donning a clown mask used garden shears to break in through the locked glass doors, then took $14.50 from a change basket, according to a police report.

Officers arrived shortly thereafter, and the man resisted arrest, even after police told him that they would use a Taser on him. He continued resisting and officers then used the Taser. Despite the shock, he continued flailing his feet and arms, according to the report. He growled and grit his teeth, according to police.