A Louisville man is facing multiple charges, including first-degree burglary and assault of a police officer, after he allegedly broke into Favorite Lotto in Todd County Tuesday morning.
According to a report from the Guthrie Police Department, Officer Kevin Saunders went to the business around 3:15 a.m. for a business check and discovered the front glass door had been shattered. Before he could enter the building, 63-year old Ray Farmer of Louisville reportedly came out of the business holding a back pack—Farmer ignored commands to stop and fled. A taser was deployed to stop Farmer, who continued to resist after falling to the ground and reportedly ripped the taser prongs out.
He attempted to flee again and a taser was deployed again, but he was once more able to remove them from his person. A physical altercation began when Officer Saunders attempted to restrain him. Farmer allegedly struck him with an elbow while resisting. Guthrie Police Chief Dean Blumel and Officer John Webb arrived on scene and Farmer was taken into custody.
A search of the back pack reportedly revealed $16,000 in cash and stolen checks, access cards, and multiple pieces of electronic equipment from the business. Also found were multiple burglary tools—including crowbars and a circular power saw. The business was damaged in multiple ways, including two safes, with damages over $1,000.
Farmer is charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, fleeing or evading police, possession of burglary tools, assault of a police officer, felony theft and resisting arrest.