INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man has been charged after allegedly threatening police with a hatchet at an east side Walmart.
According to recently filed court documents, shortly before 2:30 p.m. on April 9, an off-duty officer with the Albany Police Department was contacted by the loss prevention unit of the Walmart located at 10617 E. Washington St. about a man who was seen acting suspiciously.
The man, identified as 38-year-old Randy Jent, was observed putting items into a backpack. After watching Jent on security cameras, he was later seen removing the items from his backpack.
Walmart's loss prevention unit and the Albany PD officer continued talking over the phone when a loss prevention officer began yelling on the phone line.
Court documents say the loss prevention officer was yelling, "He's coming at me with a hammer!" before correcting himself and saying, "It's a hatchet!"
The Albany PD officer entered the grocery side entrance of the Walmart and began giving Jent verbal orders to drop the hatchet and get on the ground. Court documents say Jent eventually dropped the hatchet but had to be physically restrained by police.
Jent allegedly told police that he had seen one of the loss prevention officers following him in the store and that his wife had recently been kidnapped. Jent reportedly told police that he was afraid the loss prevention officer was going to harm him, so he took out his hatchet to confront them.
According to online court records, Jent currently has an active warrant out for his arrest. He has been charged with intimidation by use of a deadly weapon.
