University of Colorado police officers used a stun gun to subdue a “combative” shoplifting suspect inside the Boulder campus’s book store Monday morning.

Jermaine Sillemon, 25, who police said is not affiliated with the university, was transported by ambulance around 10:45 a.m. after being shot with a Taser inside the University Memorial Center, CU police chief Melissa Zak said.

He was later medically cleared at Boulder Community Health and booked into the Boulder County Jail on suspicion of felony menacing, resisting arrest, petty theft and providing false identification to a police officer.

Zak said Sillemon was seen by the CU Book Store’s loss prevention staff trying to shoplift a Nike sweatshirt and he was taken to an interior office.

Sillemon brandished a 6-inch silver pen as a “stabbing instrument,” Zak said. A CU police officer asked Sillemon to drop the pen and to remove a backpack he was wearing.

Sillemon then blew out his chest and began making punching motions with his fist, police said. The officer explained that he would use a Taser if Sillemon did not comply with instructions, Zak said.

While still holding the pen in a threatening manner, Sillemon lunged toward the officer, police said.

The officer shot the Taser one time, then Sillemon, who was on the ground, appeared to try to push himself to his feet, Zak said. The officer handcuffed Sillemon and other officers arrived to assist, Zak said.

Zak said most of the time, individuals suspected of shoplifting at the book store are cited and released by officers. She said Sillemon was “uncooperative” and “combative” with officers from the moment they arrived.

She said using a Taser is often safer than when officers engage physically with suspects.

According to police, Sillemon has two outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court on trespassing charges in Denver.

While being transported on a stretcher to an ambulance outside the student center, Sillemon began yelling at passersby.

At one point he shouted, “Hey! Help your fellow Americans! Register to vote!”