As Batesville Police officers arrived to report for duty, Sept. 9, they noticed a man standing at the department’s wash bay, an area with “No Trespassing” and “Employees Only” signs posted.
According to information filed Friday morning in Independence County Circuit Court, the man, identified in the affidavit of probable cause for arrest as Tommy Joe McGoogan, 62, of Batesville, told officers he was there to wash cars in order to “work off his fines.”
When officers contacted Batesville Police Chief Alan Cockrill about McGoogan, Cockrill told the officers McGoogan was not allowed on the property, the affidavit said.
When the officers told McGoogan to leave, the affidavit noted McGoogan became “irate and then began cursing at the officers.”
After Sgt. Rick Davis instructed the officers present to arrest McGoogan, the suspect entered his vehicle, backed it up, pointed it toward Davis, and revved the engine, the court information said.
After issuing commands to submit to arrest that McGoogan ignored and fearful McGoogan was going to strike him with the vehicle, the affidavit said Davis drew his service weapon. Meanwhile Officer Stephen Schlotzhauer attempted to open the driver’s door of McGoogan’s vehicle.
The court information noted at that point, “McGoogan looked at him [Schlotzhauer], smiled, then accelerated.”
Scholtzhauer was drug several feet before freeing himself from the vehicle as it continued onward, the affidavit said.
McGoogan is in custody and is facing a felony count of fleeing, a felony count of aggravated assault, along with three misdemeanors: criminal trespass, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
He’s being held on a $25,000 bond.
Image of McGoogan via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. on Ozark Newsline, broadcast from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Add don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
