MORE: Springfield man accused of arson, burning truck behind Bechtle store
Morris pleaded not guilty in Clark County Municipal Court on Thursday morning. His bond was set at $125,000 and he remained in the Clark County Jail as of Monday afternoon.
Springfield police were called about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, to a report of a man fighting at the Valero gas station, 1024 E. Home Road. An officer entered the business and allegedly saw Morris holding a handgun. The officer then left the gas station to wait for backup and several more officers responded, according to a police report.
The store clerk told police Morris allegedly entered the building about 10:30 p.m., sat his gun on the counter and demanded money. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, Morris allegedly high-fived the clerk and told him that he loved him, the report says. The suspect then allegedly began casually talking to the clerk as if nothing happened, police said, and offered to shake his hand.
DETAILS: Springfield man accused of trying to steal beer three times in one day
A corrections officer still in uniform pulled up to the drive-through window and noticed the clerk was having trouble. He then walked into the store to purchase a gallon of milk when Morris approached him. Morris allegedly took off his shirt, put his gun on the ground and asked the man to fight.
When the customer refused, Morris then allegedly pointed his gun at the man’s head. Morris allegedly patted the man down for weapons and then began putting on military style hats from the store and said: “They’re gonna have to send a military tank to shoot me!” according to the police report.
He allegedly assaulted the man, the police report says, and then ordered him to stay behind the counter.
Morris allegedly threatened to kill and rape the victims’ families if they called anyone, police said.
READ MORE: ‘Savage’ Springfield man arrested, allegedly bit man’s ear
Morris left the gas station after about 10 minutes, allegedly carrying a white plastic grocery bag. He was ordered to the ground at gunpoint and taken into custody, the report says.
“Mr. Morris was in an agitated state,” Officer Derek Smith says in the report. “He was possibly high on some type of drug. Mr. Morris would tell officers to shoot him, then tell officers that he loved them … His demeanor was very unpredictable and continually changed.”
MORE: Springfield man allegedly rams car after washing machine dispute
Police alleged they found a handgun in his pants pocket that had a spent shell casing in the chamber and four live rounds in the magazine, the report says. The bag continued both money and merchandise from the business.
Morris was recently released from prison on Oct. 17 after serving an 11-year prison sentence for aggravated burglary and carrying concealed weapons, according to state records.
4 QUICK SPRINGFIELD READS
DeWine: ‘Never seen anything like’ drug crisis hitting Ohio
Bystanders rescue 2-year-old from street, grandfather charged
Man threatens Springfield post office: “You think Las Vegas was bad?”
Springfield woman accused of biting police officer, spitting on medic
About the Author