Collier County deputies said they found a hidden handcuff key on a suspect they were arresting for allegedly pointing a gun at two marina employees. Michael Shaffer, 44 is charged with aggravated assault and possessing a concealed handcuff key while in custody.
Shaffer was arrested Wednesday evening after employees at Gulf Shores Marina on Davis Boulevard reported a man pointing a gun at them by the docks. According to his arrest report, deputies found a loaded semiautomatic pistol in his vest, but that he denied pointing it at anyone.
They also found a pen on him - but said that when Shaffer demanded that they give it back to him, they gave it a closer look - and found a handcuff key hidden inside.
"If you carry a handcuff key, it means you intend to make good on an escape," said private investigator and retired police officer Walt Zalisko. "God forbid, he would have had access to that handcuff key during the booking process or while he was being transported."
Hidden handcuff keys are easy to find online - some costing less than $10.
Given the potential danger to law enforcement, hidden handcuff keys are another reason it's so important for officers to follow arrest procedures to the letter.
"Promptly handcuff the individual behind his back, so it makes it a little more difficult for him to maneuver around and try to obtain that handcuff key," Zalisko said.
