A 25-year-old Salina man was tased and arrested Wednesday afternoon in Manhattan after exhibiting what authorities described as "bizarre" behavior in which he knocked a woman to the ground and attempted to elude Riley County Police officers in a car.
The incident that led to James Moore's arrest began at 12:07 p.m. when authorities said he ran at a woman in a city parking lot in the 300 block of Poyntz Avenue in downtown Manhattan, knocking her to the ground.
The woman was identified as Erin Fingalsen, 46, of Manhattan. Fingalsen sustained injuries to her left shoulder and left elbow from the attack, said Riley County Police Lt. Richard Fink. Fingalsen and Moore didn't know each other and the attack was unprovoked, Fink said.
After knocking Fingalsen to the ground, Fink said, Moore walked off into the parking lot making what witnesses said were "yelling sounds" but no spoken words.
By this time, Fink said, police had been notified and many citizens had come to the aid of Fingalsen.
David Colburn, 55, a local business owner, provided his business for shelter for those who felt threatened by Moore. Colburn then moved into the parking lot to monitor Moore's behavior while awaiting police, Fink said.
Colburn observed Moore get into a silver Nissan Altima and made an effort to keep him from fleeing. Moore then began to leave the area and turned the vehicle toward Colburn and accelerated, causing Colburn to take cover behind a structure, Fink said.
Colburn used an electric bicycle to follow Moore and report his location to police.
After Moore fled the area, Fink said, he was seen on the west side of Manhattan doing "donuts" in the Frank Anneberg Park parking lot, located near Anderson Avenue and Anneberg Drive on the city's southwest side.
A Manhattan city worker witnessed the reckless driving and called police, who located Moore driving on Kimball Avenue at Vanesta. Officers tried to stop Moore but he fled, and a pursuit was initiated.
Officers deployed spike strips at West Bank Way and Little Kitten, flattening all four of Moore's tires. Moore continued to drive at speeds between 20 and 30 mph, leading police to a residence at 2307 Cheryl Terrace in Manhattan, where he stopped in the private driveway.
Moore refused to come out of the car and officers used a taser on Moore and "gained compliance," Fink said.
Moore was arrested in connection with battery, aggravated assault and attempting to flee and elude. He was being held in the Riley County Jail on $7,500 bond
