A 32-year-old Jasonville man was arrested after initialing hiding from officers in the front seat of a vehicle in a gas station parking lot in the evening hours of Sept. 15.

Roger Allen Burris, II, was arrested in the early morning hours of Sept. 16 on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, refusal to aid an officer, and theft with a prior conviction of theft after officers spotted him crouched down, hiding in the front seat of a car.

Officer Skylar Scott and Officer Dustin Cain of the Jasonville Police Department knew Burris had a warrant out for his arrest. Both officers told him to open the door of the vehicle, but he refused and put his hand in his pocket. Officer Scott attempted to open the vehicle door but it was locked; however, the driver’s side window was open, so Officer Cain unlocked the doors of the vehicle.

Officer Scott opened the front passenger door and told Burris to step out of the vehicle. Instead, he stayed in the vehicle and lit a cigarette. He then stepped out of the vehicle and began using his cell phone. Officer Cain instructed Burris to turn around and face the vehicle, but he refused and continued attempting to make the call.

Officer Scott initially attempted to gain control of Burris’s left arm, but he pulled away. He was able to gain control of his left arm and placed it behind his back. Officer Cain removed the phone from his right hand and placed his right hand behind his back.

As Officer Scott was attempting to place Burris in handcuffs, he pulled away from him and Officer Cain several times. Both officers told him to stop pulling away, but he continued attempting to pull his left arm way and get in front of the officers with his body. Ultimately, Burris was placed in handcuffs and advised he had an active warrant. Burris said he was aware of the warrant, stating it was a body attachment for unpaid child support.

Once in handcuffs, Burris said they were too tight. Officer Cain checked them and confirmed they were not too tight. Officer Scott attempted to double lock them to prevent further tightening, but Burris again pulled away from him several times. Burris was placed in Officer Scott’s police commission and buckled in. When Officer Scott walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle, his iPhone which was inside an Otter Box that had been on the center console of his commission, was no longer there. Burris had taken the phone and attempted to place it in his left pocket. Burris refused to let go of the cell phone and continued attempting to place it in his pocket. Ultimately, Officer Scott was able to get his cell phone out of Burris’s hand.

Before leaving the gas station parking lot, Burris unbuckled himself twice. En route to the Greene County Jail, he continued to unbuckle himself.

He was booked into Greene County Jail in the early morning hours of Sept. 16. His bond was set at $1,400 cash only, and he was released later that day after posting bond.

Burris is facing preliminary charges of:

• Resisting law enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor

• Theft with a prior conviction of theft, a Level 6 Felony

• Refusal to aid an officer, a Class B Misdemeanor