A Utah man was arrested Tuesday under suspicion of assault on a police officer, retail theft, interference with arrest and open container violations. The man walked into a convenience store, picked out two containers of beer and told the clerk he was taking the beer with him and that police could find him at a park around the corner. As strange as that may seem, the man actually did go to the park and wait for the police to arrive.
Photo: Paul Joseph
When the first police officer arrived, the man challenged him to a fight. By the time the second officer came on the scene, the man allegedly tried to punch both officers. After a struggle, the officers took the man into custody.
Assault on a police officer is generally a class A misdemeanor, while interference with arrest is a class B misdemeanor. The possible penalties include spending up to a year in jail on an assaulting a police officer charge, and zero-six months in jail for interfering with an arrest. Retail theft can be anything from a class B misdemeanor to a second-degree felony, depending on the value and type of property stolen and whether the individual has any prior theft convictions. An open container violation is a class C misdemeanor and can carry a jail sentence of up to 90 days.
Whether or not the man was inebriated before allegedly stealing the beer is unclear. However, this true story should remind each of us of a few good rules to live by:
• Don’t drink too much alcohol. If you don’t determine what your limit is, law enforcement may do it for you.
• If you are going to drink beer, or anything else, pay for it before you leave the store.
• If you find yourself in a sticky situation with police, don’t attempt to assault them. Actually, don’t say or do anything. If they want to arrest you, go along quietly.
• When all is said and done, if you’re facing criminal charges, contact a reputable Utah criminal defense attorney immediately. Don’t compound earlier mistakes with further lapses in judgment. Do yourself a favor and get the legal help you need.
