A man was arrested after citizens reported him carrying a gun at Bollywood Tacos on Main Street on Sunday afternoon.
Officers allegedly found an AR-15 with a fully loaded magazine and a round in the chamber when arresting Roman McDonald, 20. McDonald was charged with possessing a firearm with the intent to go armed, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
The original reports came from Main Street Meats, where a citizen said there was a suspicious man who appeared to be concealing a gun, according to an affidavit. Police found McDonald in Bollywood Tacos shortly after and attempted to arrest him.
(READ MORE: TBI files show ‘hasty plan’ before fatal Highway 58 police shooting)
The attempted arrest led to officers wrestling with McDonald when they found the weapon in his pants. In the course of the arrest, McDonald kept reaching for something in his pocket and trying to get rid of it but ended up just hiding the item in his hand, the affidavit said.
Once McDonald was arrested, he dropped a small bag that was holding several blue pills, according to the affidavit.
(SIGN UP: Get breaking news in your inbox as it happens by going to timesfreepress.com/breaking)
Police searched McDonald multiple times to check for additional weapons and did not find anything else.
McDonald told police he had a hair in his mouth while he was in the patrol car and started licking the bars on the window of the backseat to try to get rid of it, according to the report. The report also said that McDonald told police he defecated in his pants while he was being arrested.
McDonald was also charged with tampering with evidence, interference with process and drugs for resale.
Contact breaking news reporter Kailee Shores at kshores@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.