Florida man facing felony counts for bizarre incident

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Darth Vader Attack

Darth Vader Attack

JANUARY 5--An intoxicated man wearing a Darth Vader mask is facing felony charges after he allegedly attacked a Florida state trooper early this morning.

According to an arrest affidavit, the trooper approached Michael Cole, 38, on an Orlando street after receiving a call about a masked man loitering in a roadway. After repeatedly being asked to move, Cole began "yelling profanities" at the trooper and, instead of leaving, he "laid down on the roadway.”

When instructed to get up, the suspect “got up and swung at me and kicked me," reported the trooper, who then “deployed" his Taser. While that tactic failed due to Cole’s heavy jacket, the trooper was able to handcuff him. But when Cole continued to try and attack the trooper, he was pepper sprayed into compliance around 2:45 AM.

Cole, pictured in the above mug shot, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest, both felonies. He is being held in the Orange County jail, where bail has not been set.

The Darth Vader mask and Cole's other property was turned over to this mother, according to a Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson. The mask--which is more like a helmet--appears to be a Hasbro model. The hard plastic Star Wars item includes a chest plate and voice changer that is supposed to make the wearer sound like the evil Sith Overlord.

Cole’s rap sheet includes several previous collars, including busts in 2003 and 2007 for battery on a law enforcement officer. (1 page)