HERSHEY, PA — A 49-year-old man was arrested after threatening police officers with a knife outside a grocery store on April 2.
Efrain Valentin Jr., of Hummelstown, was taken into custody near the Karns Food Store on Cherry Drive at about 10:46 a.m.
Police had been actively searching for Valentin after he was reported missing by family members.
An active arrest warrant for Valentin was issued by the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office after he failed to appear for a scheduled court date.
Officers spotted Valentin along a walking path on the south side of West Governor Road before he disappeared from view behind a building.
A Derry Township officer later located him at the Karns Food Store on Cherry Drive.
When the officer attempted to identify Valentin, he began walking away.
As additional officers arrived, Valentin produced a knife and threatened the officers with it.
An officer deployed a Taser, and after some resistance, officers took Valentin into custody.
He is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, simple assault, flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police advised the Kindercare Learning Center, located next to the grocery store, to take students inside and lock down the facility due to their proximity to the arrest.
The learning center was locked down for approximately four to five minutes before being cleared.
