A Fruita man who authorities say locked himself in a store bathroom for more than an hour Tuesday was arrested after he allegedly damaged a plunger, removed a toilet seat and battled deputies trying to arrest him.
John Laffey, 28, was arrested on suspicion of assault, resisting arrest and obstruction, according to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Laffey, who was also wanted on an active warrant out of Douglas County, was taken to the county jail where he was being held on a $25,000 cash only bond.
A deputy was dispatched Tuesday night to a convenience store on 32 Road on reports of a man who had locked himself inside a bathroom and was possibly being destructive.
“According to the store clerk, the man had been in the bathroom for an hour and could be heard yelling,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “The first deputy on-scene spoke through the door to the male in the bathroom, identifying himself as law enforcement.”
Authorities say Laffey made comments to the deputy “that were threatening,” leading the deputy to believe he would be assaulted when Laffey exited the bathroom.
“The deputy exercised a great deal of restraint with the man during initial contact outside the bathroom door,” the release said. “(Laffey) had a razor blade in his hand when he exited the bathroom and a knife was located inside.”
The sheriff’s office says Laffey was “not cooperative” with deputies as they tried to place him in their vehicle for transport to jail.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or
