KAYSVILLE — Police put an alleged ”man of steel” behind bars Sunday night after a convenience store clerk was attacked and several officers assaulted.
Melekiole Faamanatuga, 26, of Ephraim, was arrested for investigation of aggravated robbery while causing serious injury, assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer and intoxication. Police affidavits state Faamanatuga referred to himself as Superman on several occasions.
Kaysville police were called about 9:40 p.m. to a 7-Eleven, 385 W. 200 North, where a store clerk had been assaulted by a man who stole a pack of cigarettes, according to a police affidavit.
“The bridge of his nose was swollen and he stated he believed his nose was broken and was going to seek emergency medical care. I reviewed the in-store surveillance video and observed Melekiole strike the clerk several times with a closed fist, winding his entire body to use the maximum force possible,” the affidavit states. “Melekiole used physical force and violently attacked an unsuspecting convenience store clerk over a single pack of cigarettes and caused serious bodily injury to the victim. This was a completely unprovoked attack.”
Officers located Faamanatuga at a Wendy’s next to the convenience store. As a Kaysville officer was detaining him, “Melekiole reached behind his head and struck (the officer) twice in the left side of his head with a closed fist. Melekiole continued to physically resist the efforts of approximately eight officers to detain him and fought through a Taser deployment,” according to the affidavit.
The store clerk told police that Faamanatuga “made several references to being ‘Superman.’ While at the jail, again resisting efforts of deputies and officers to place him in a holding cell, the suspect made a statement of being ‘Superman,’” the affidavit states.
Faamanatuga pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug possession on March 25, according to court records.