Knives, hatchet found in suspect’s pants

A Batesville man was arrested on a theft charge after being accused of taking knives and a hatchet from a west-side store, concealing the hatchet in his pants.

Columbus Police Sgt. Ben Goodin was sent to Menards, 2351 Merchants Mile, about a man in the store believed to be stealing knives at 2:50 p.m. Sunday, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

When the man, identified as Richard L. Peetz, 44, left the store, he refused to stop for store security and walked toward the parking lot with his hands in his jacket pockets, Harris said.

Goodin told Peetz several times to remove his hands from his pockets, but he only removed his left hand, Harris said. After telling him several more times to remove his right hand, Goodin used his taser to stop Peetz, who kneeled over, Harris said. Officers then saw a large hatchet sticking out of the back of his pants, Harris said.

After Peetz was handcuffed, officers found 15 knives, 12 of which had been taken from the store, Harris said.

Peetz was arrested on charges of theft and resisting law enforcement, and was released from the Bartholomew County Jail after posting $10,000 bail, jail officials said.