Officer stuck with a heroin syringe

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Stabbed with a heroin needle and put in a headlock. Those are just some of the ordeals Austin police officers patrolling South by Southwest have had to endure.

Michael Tinkham, 26, was arrested for reportedly sticking a syringe full of heroin in an officer's finger. Officers tased the homeless man twice. Tinkham later told them he has Hepatitis.

Pete Thurman, 53, was also booked into jail after refusing to leave a bar and putting an officer in a headlock.

Police say unruly festival goers has not been a trend, and they are hoping it stays that way until Sunday.

"I know that we have not had that many arrests inside the SXSW venue. Parking violations are probably one of the biggest issues," said Sgt. Jim Beck with the Special Events Unit.

Extra patrols will be on the downtown streets through Sunday.