Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Juan Mares, 33, has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, threatening or intimidating, criminal damage, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct/fighting, disorderly conduct with a weapon, and escape in the second degree.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – An evening drinking with family at the Graham County Fairgrounds ended poorly for one man, who was arrested after allegedly pulling a knife on a relative.
If that had been the end not much may have come of it, but as it were, the suspect, Juan Mares, 33, of Graham County, failed to comply with officers and ended up having a slew of additional charges after his interaction with them.
Juan was arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility in the early morning hours of Dec. 17. He was later charged by the Graham County Attorney’s Office with aggravated assault on a police officer, threatening or intimidating, criminal damage, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct/fighting, disorderly conduct with a weapon, and escape in the second degree.
Juan received the escape and criminal damage charges after reportedly kicking out a deputy’s window while in custody in a patrol vehicle and then climbing out head-first through the broken glass.
According to the victim and various family members, Juan had been trying to get a rise out of a family member and kept messing with him throughout the evening of Dec. 16. Finally, the victim stood up and Juan Mares allegedly pulled a knife and threatened him with it. At that point, various family members stepped in and held down Juan until police arrived. Family members said they were concerned that Juan was not only drunk but was also under the influence of an illicit substance.
Juan did not go peacefully and instead tussled with the deputies while calling them “Pigs” and cursing at them.
After going through the window, Juan was taken to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and cleared to be booked into jail. However, he continued to resist the deputies and had to be placed in restraints, according to the Sheriff’s Office’s report. Multiple deputies/officers advised that Juan had threatened them and that they had been physically assaulted by Juan kicking them.
Charges were officially filed against Juan Mares on Tuesday and his bond was set at $25,000.
