An Owensboro man was arrested Tuesday after getting into a physical altercation with an officer from the Owensboro Police Department. The incident occurred outside of T.J. Maxx after the off-duty officer witnessed the man leaving the store with multiple stolen items.
Joey Ray, 40, of the 4500 block of Towne Square Court was charged with theft by unlawful taking (shoplifting) over $500, fleeing/evading police on foot, resisting arrest, third-degree assault of a police officer, terroristic threatening, second-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and criminal mischief.
According to the citation, OPD Officer Matthew Davis was in the checkout line at T.J. Maxx at approximately 3:28 p.m. when Ray attempted to exit the store through the entrance doors, setting off the merchandise alarm in the process. Davies said he verbally identified himself as a police officer and advised Ray to stop, but Ray proceeded to flee on foot.
Davis said he took off after the suspect and again identified himself as a police officer. Ray allegedly continued to flee, stopping momentarily to attempt to strike Davis with his fist.
“Officer Davis advised he and Ray then got into a physical altercation and, during this altercation, Ray pulled out a pocket knife, opened the knife exposing the blade, and stated, ‘I am going to stab you,’” the citation said.
Davis said he and Ray fell to the ground and that he was able to knock the knife out of Ray’s grasp. A female bystander grabbed the knife and threw it away from the two men, Davis said.
Davis and Ray continued to struggle until officers arrived at the scene.
“Along with the concealed merchandise, officers located a red and black pocket knife that another bystander had secured after the female threw it away from where Davis and Ray were,” the citation says. “Officer Davis sustained a bite from Ray during the altercation, which also resulted in a hole in Davis’ jacket (valued at $200).”
Photographs of the evidence, stolen merchandise, Davis and Ray were taken and logged into evidence. The stolen/recovered merchandise was valued at $843.40 and was also logged into evidence.
Ray told officers that Davis never showed him a badge and that “anyone can say they are a police officer.” Ray also told officers he pulled the knife out because he was being tackled by Davis.
Ray was taken to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital where he was medically cleared. The suspect also made statements indicating self-harm, and staff at the Daviess County Detention Center was advised that self-harm statements were made.
Ray is being held at DCDC on a $5,000 full cash bond and will appear in District Court on Jan. 8, 2020.
