The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says a man was arrested on multiple charges, including three outstanding warrants, after he allegedly attempted to rob Scioto Shoe Mart on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Officials say employees fought with the man who also attempted to flee the responding deputy.
At 3:04pm on Wednesday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Scioto Shoe Mart, 206 Jamesway Drive, reporting they had just had a shoplifting incident and that the suspect was fighting with an employee. Upon his arrival, a sheriff’s deputy said he saw the suspect still actively fighting with a store employee.
The deputy said that when he attempted to place the suspect under arrest, the man, later identified as 34-year old Harold Ray Smith, pulled away and spun around in an attempt to flee the scene. A media release said the deputy “took Smith to the ground, reacquired control of him and placed him in handcuffs.”
Investigators said that Smith refused to say who he was and instead gave a false name. Smith indicated that at the time of this incident he had no permanent address and was homeless.
Employees told investigators that Smith was allegedly caught in the act of stealing a pair of shoes. When he was approached by an employee, Smith allegedly brandished a pocket knife and pointed it at the employees. One employee said he wrestled Smith to the ground and the knife was knocked away from him. The employee said that Smith punched him in the face and neck during the struggle.
Neither the employee nor Smith required medical attention.
Smith was taken to the Multi-County Correctional Center where his true identity was learned. Smith was arrested for aggravated robbery, resisting arrest, and obstruction of official business. In addition to these charges Smith also had three outstanding warrants for his arrest for theft, escape, and failure to appear. Smith is also on parole and his parole officer was notified of this incident.
The case was forwarded to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for review of all the charges.
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