By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Salina man who allegedly head-butted a police officer was arrested on multiple requested charges after two incidents overnight.
Just after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were sent to a residence in the 800 block of Plaza Drive for the report of an aggravated burglary, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus.
A couple at the residence said they noticed a light go on in their house. When they got up to investigate, they saw a man inside the residence who then left through the back door.
Items missing included a black duffle bag with miscellaneous welding equipment, two sets of vehicle keys, and a mailbox key, Hanus said.
As the officers were talking with the couple, their son returned home and told police that a short time before that, as he was leaving the residence, he saw the same person in his 2001 Ford four-door vehicle. The person left when he saw the son coming out of the house. The son locked the front door of the residence and left without telling his parents that he had seen someone in his vehicle, Hanus said.
At approximately 12:40 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of a suspicious person in the 900 block of Vassar Drive. When officers made contact with the person, they found him to be in possession of a black bag with welding equipment in it, Hanus said. The person was detained at that time and officers then found the stolen keys in his possession.
The person was identified as James David Laughlin, 21, of Salina.
While officers were attempting to take Laughlin into custody and put a safety wrap on him, he allegedly head-butted an officer and threatened the officer, Hanus said.
Because of a medical issue, Laughlin was transported to the Salina Regional Health Center emergency room before he was booked into the Saline County Jail.
Hanus said Laughlin was arrested on the following requested charges, Aggravated burglary, Felony interference, Battery of a law enforcement officer, Four counts of assault of a law enforcement officer, Trespassing and Theft.