Numerous charges have now been filed against a man after an alleged theft from an Emporia business, a short foot chase and at least one Taser deployment early Thursday afternoon.
None of the charges filed by the Lyon County Attorney’s Office are felonies.
Fernando Renteria, 49, faces five counts of battery against law enforcement, as well as single counts of assault on law enforcement, assault, interference with law enforcement and theft.
Emporia Police officers say the theft — listed as a plastic plant pot on the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal — was what started Thursday’s alleged incident. Police Capt. Ray Mattas says officers responded to Riverside Garden Florist, 607 Rural, after an alleged theft and assault of business employee. A suspect later identified as Renteria allegedly failed to comply with officers when they found him in the 800 block of West Sixth. After a short chase, officers used at least one Taser to subdue and arrest Renteria.
The first court appearance in this case will be at 1:15 pm Monday before Judge Doug Jones.
9:25 am Friday: Formal charges pending after alleged theft in progress at Emporia business leads to Taser deployment
A reported theft-in-progress at an Emporia business led to a short foot chase and deployment of a Taser, according to Emporia Police.
Capt. Ray Mattas says the situation began unfolding around 1:30 pm as officers responded to the theft call at Riverside Garden Florist, 607 Rural. The suspect, later identified as 49-year-old Fernando Renteria, had left the business — but not before allegedly assaulting a store employee as the worker tried to stop him.
Officers found Renteria in the 800 block of West Sixth. Mattas says Renteria failed to comply with officer orders, so at least one Taser was deployed. Mattas says Renteria assaulted the officers on the case before he was eventually subdued and arrested.
Renteria will be booked on suspicion of aggravated assault on law enforcement, battery on law enforcement and theft. Formal charges are pending through the Lyon County Attorney’s Office, and Mattas says officers may request additional charges as their investigation continues.
