Police arrest naked man on U.S. 31

Columbus police arrested a local man who was found walking naked yelling gibberish in the southbound lanes of U.S. 31.

Sterling A. Wessel, 26, 15200 S. County Road 50W, was arrested on charges of residential entry, public nudity, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement after the incident was reported to police at 4:18 p.m. Friday, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Police were sent to the 3100 block of Dale Court initially about a person entering a garage. While on their way there, officers learned the man had taken off all his clothes and headed toward Kroger Marketplace on U.S. 31, Harris said.

A Columbus police officer attempted to stop Wessel while he was walking in front of Kroger and Wessel resisted, so the officer took him to the ground, Harris said.

When Wessel tried to get back up, the officer held him on the ground until other officers arrived.

Wessel was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital to be checked, then was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail, Harris said.

He was released from the jail after posting $18,500 bond, jail officials said.