Man arrested after police say he pointed a gun at Meijer employees

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – According to police, one man was arrested after he is accused of pointing a gun at employees in Meijer.

Monday, police responded to a call about a man slamming shelves inside of Meijer and attempting to leave without paying, according to a citation.

According to police, the man, Elmer Echeverria Cruz, tried to leave with two carts full and overflowing with soaps he claimed he wanted to donate.

When police arrived, a store employee asked for Cruz to be removed and banned.

Cruz left with his children and wife, but after leaving the parking lot, the family jumped out of the car and ran toward the police saying Cruz had a gun and was planning to return to the store to demand his soaps, according to his citation.

Cruz pulled back into the parking lot, pulled out a rifle and pointed it at an employee, according to his citation.

After officers got Cruz to put down the weapon and arrested him, Cruz threatened an officer, according to his citation.

According to the citation, Cruz is accused of pointing a gun at five employees.

Cruz is charged with five counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, one count of terroristic threatening, five counts of menacing, one count disorderly conduct and one count criminal trespassing and was lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail.