Bodybuilder wrongly held for intoxication

REDWOOD CITY —  A bodybuilder was sprayed with Mace and wrestled to the ground by police officers who mistakenly believed he was intoxicated when he was actually going through insulin shock.

Despite the misunderstanding, Doug Burns was arrested for misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest after the incident at a movie theater Sunday night. Redwood City Police Capt. Chris Cesena said Burns, 43, assumed a fighting stance and it took four officers to restrain him.

Burns said he was trying a new diabetes drug that night when he felt dizziness and poor vision, a sign of low blood sugar, and hurried to a snack counter.

A security guard who thought he was intoxicated asked him to leave, Cesena said. When he refused, the guard called police.

A medical test later confirmed Burns had low blood sugar, Cesena said.

Burns won first prize in the 2006 Mr. Natural Universe competition.