Police say man attacked Marietta QuikTrip customers, fought with officers

Police accuse the man of  attacking customers inside the gas station, running to a nearby parking lot and fighting officers.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Police accuse the man of  attacking customers inside the gas station, running to a nearby parking lot and fighting officers.

A man faces multiple charges after authorities accused him of attacking customers at a Marietta gas station and then fighting officers who tried to arrest him Monday.

Marietta police obtained an arrest warrant for John Chavis in connection with the incident, officials confirmed to AJC.com.

The alleged incident happened about noon at the QuikTrip at the intersection of Fairground Street and South Marietta Parkway, according to Marietta police spokesman Chuck McPhilamy.

McPhilamy said officers were notified of an individual who “appeared to be acting irrationally.”

Witnesses told Channel 2 Action News the man tried to steal a woman’s purse and phone inside the store. When other customers intervened, he became violent, witnesses told the news station.

According to an arrest warrant, Chavis punched a QuikTrip customer repeatedly. When other customers tried to break it up, Chavis attacked them as well, the warrant alleges.

By the time officers arrived, the man had run from the QT to the parking lot of a nearby Family Dollar store, McPhilamy said.

McPhilamy said officers tried to talk to him, but he fought with them.  According to the warrant, Chavis punched multiple officers in the face during the struggle.

Ultimately, Chavis was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for an evaluation, McPhilamy said.

Upon his release, Chavis will be charged with three counts of simple battery, one count of misdemeanor obstruction/hindering law enforcement and two counts of felony obstruction.

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