Docs: Indy man threatened officers with a hatchet at far east side Walmart

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indy man has been charged with felony intimidation after police say he threatened officers and employees with a hatchet at a far east side Walmart.

Randy L. Jent, 38, was charged this week in Marion County Court with one count of level 5 felony intimidation after police were called to a Walmart on E. Washington Street for a suspicious man.

An off-duty Albany police officer was called at 2:20 p.m. last Tuesday to 10617 E. Washington after asset protection officers inside Walmart noticed a man hiding items inside a backpack. Employees began trailing the man, who was later identified as Jent.

While on the phone with the employees watching Jent, the police officer suddenly heard that the suspect was running at the employee with a hatchet. The officer said he then came into the grocery side of the store, drew his handgun and saw Jent standing with a black hatchet in hand.

The officer reportedly told Jent to drop the hatchet, which he did. However, Jent allegedly did not get on his knees and the officer subsequently “went hands on with him” before getting him in handcuffs.

Jent was then taken to the Asset Protection office inside Walmart where he told officers he’d seen someone following him and got scared. The suspect reportedly said his wife had been kidnapped recently, causing him to be on edge and alert to people meaning him harm.

The officer said that a search for Jent in Walmart’s system showed that he had been trespassed from several Indy-area stores. Most recently, Jent had reportedly been banned from the Walmart located at 7245 US 31.

Court documents show that Jent was then released and told that a report would be filed with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. On Monday, prosecutors officially charged Jent and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

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