Local

Man strips down, threatens officers in rampage outside courthouse, police say

ATHENS, Ga. — A man is under arrest after police say he went on a rampage near a local courthouse and threatened to kill officers.

Police told Channel 2's Tom Regan when they confronted the man in Athens near the University of Georgia campus on Sunday morning, they didn't know if he was under the influence of drugs or mentally disturbed.

After running around the street, police said he climbed up on a roof of a parking lot ticket booth, hurling obscenities and threats at police and others.

The man, identified as 27-year-old Demetrious Faust, then began removing his clothes.

TRENDING STORIES:

Epifanio Rodriguez with Athens-Clark County police told Regan the calls came in about a person acting disorderly, cursing and screaming.

Police said he made some comments about harming police officers.

Before police could show up, he ran to the county courthouse and began banging on windows and doors.

"At some point, he removes his shirt and ties it to the front doors of the courthouse, so no one can actually exit," Rodriguez said.

An officer who arrived first, drew his Taser and persuaded the man to sit on the curb near the courthouse parking, but moments later he ignored the order and climbed onto the roof of the parking attendant booth.

Rodriguez said he started throwing items from his pockets at the officer and then removed his pants.

"He started exposing himself. Mind you, this is downtown area on a Sunday morning," Rodriguez said.

The officers remained calm and about 40 minutes later, with the help of a fire truck ladder, they were able to talked the man into surrendering.

"At one point at the hospital, he kicked the officer, (who) wasn't injured to the point where he needed treatment," Rodriguez said.

The suspect was taken to a hospital for observation. He faces numerous charges including two felonies.