Batesville man arrested on theft, other charge

A Batesville man was arrested by Columbus Police over the weekend after he allegedly stole several knives and a hatchet from a west-side store. Lt. Matt Harris, CPD Spokesman, says that at approximately 2:50 p.m. on Sunday, Sgt. Ben Goodin was dispatched to a home-improvement store in the 2300 block of Merchants Mile on a report of a shoplifter.

Richard Peetz; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.
Richard Peetz; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.

Store personnel reported that 44-year-old Richard L. Peetz was inside the store stealing knives. They allege that when Peetz left the store, he refused to stop for store security and began walking towards the parking lot with his hands in his jacket pockets. Sgt. Goodin reports that he gave Peetz several commands to remove his hands from his pockets, but says that he would only show his left hand. Harris says that after Peetz ignored two additional commands to show his hands, Goodin used his Taser on the alleged shoplifter. Police say that when Peetz kneeled over, they saw a large hatchet sticking out of the back of his pants. After Peetz was handcuffed, officers reported finding 15 knives, 12 of which had been stolen from the store.

Peetz is facing preliminary charges of Theft and Resisting Law Enforcement.