FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A transient man is facing criminal charges after a report of a retail theft led to a foot pursuit and the reported assault of a police officer in Franklin on Sunday.

Court documents indicate the Franklin Police Department filed criminal charges against 31-year-old Charlie J. Nichols — who is listed as a transient.

According to a criminal complaint, around 8:52 a.m. on November 15, Franklin Police were dispatched to a business on Liberty Street for a report of a retail theft.

The complaint states the subject who matched the description given by the caller, later identified as Charlie Nichols, was then located in the parking lot behind the Venango County Library.

When Nichols saw the police patrol vehicle, he ducked into a door stoop on the back of the library. Patrolman Wagner then exited the vehicle and instructed Nichols to come out of the doorway and step up to the patrol vehicle. Nichols was then frisked and advised he was being detained under suspicion of theft, according to the complaint.

Nichols showed outward signs of intoxication, with his eyes not steady or focused, his behavior fidgety, and having a seeming lack of control of his hand motion. He reportedly had extremely dry lips, and his tongue was bright white, which are signs of impairment on a controlled substance, the complaint notes.

He also reportedly mumbled under his breath, recited biblical verses, and seemed to have difficulty obeying verbal instructions.

Officer Gilchrist, who had reviewed the surveillance footage from the business, then arrived at the scene and positively identified Nichols as the suspect involved in the retail theft. Nichols was then placed under arrest.

Upon being placed under arrest, Nichols became very angry, raising his voice and changing his posture. He allegedly stated he “would love to see you try and see what the (expletive) happens,” the complaint indicates.

When asked to turn around and place his hands behind his back, Nichols reportedly advanced toward the officers with his hands in a boxing stance. Patrolman Wagner then deployed his taser, which made Nichols back up and tear the prongs from his clothing, the complaint continues.

Officer Gilchrist then deployed his taser, as well, but it had no effect whatsoever on Nichols. Nichols then went through the PNC Back drive through, north from the area of contact, crossing Liberty Street, impeding four lanes of traffic, and entering Band Stand Park. He reached the sidewalk with Patrolman Wagner following. Patrolman Wagner told him to stop and get on the ground.

Nichols then stopped, turned around, and swung at Patrolman Wagner, hitting him with a closed fist on the left side of his face. Patrolman Wagner ordered Nichols to get on the ground, and Nichols then sat on a bench and complied. He was then handcuffed and taken into custody, according to the complaint.

It was then discovered that the taser deployments did not make a connection due to the layers of clothing that Nichols was wearing, the complaint notes.

Following Nichols’ arrest, police returned to the area of the library door where Nichols was first spotted. There they reportedly found a bottle of peach Johny Bootlegger malt liquor, the same item that was stolen from the business on Liberty Street. A second bottle of liquor was also found, empty, tucked into a grassy area behind a building just off the corner of the parking lot behind the library, according to the complaint.

Nichols was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish at 9:00 a.m. on November 16, on the following charges:

– Aggravated Assault — Attempts to Cause or Causes Serious Bodily Injury, Felony 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2
– Retail Theft-Take Merchandise, Misdemeanor 2
– Tamper With/Fabricate Physical Evidence, Misdemeanor 2
– Indecent Exposure, Misdemeanor 2
– Escape, Misdemeanor 2
– Disorder Conduct Hazardous/Physical Offense, Misdemeanor 3 (two counts)
– Criminal Mischief-Tamper With Property, Summary
– Public Drunkenness And Similar Misconduct, Summary

Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on December 2 in Venango County Central Court with Judge Fish presiding.