Man who threatened north Columbus Walmart customers with knife faces seven charges
A man waving a knife at customers inside a north Columbus Walmart faced seven charges Saturday after two armed witnesses confronted him in the parking lot during a foot chase that crossed Whittlesey Boulevard, police said.
Officers finally caught Leo Ricardo Segura, 23, in the parking lot between the Olive Garden and the Barnes and Noble at Columbus Park Crossing.
Multiple witnesses called 911 at 4:03 p.m. to report a man with a knife threatening customers inside the Walmart at 5448 Whittlesey Blvd., authorities said. While customers fled the store, some chased the man out into the parking lot.
Two people, lawfully armed, confronted him outside, police said: After one unsuccessfully tried to “intercept” him, a second aimed at him after seeing him pulling on car door handles.
Segura then fled through the parking lot and crossed Whittlesey to where he was caught, police said. He still had the knife when an officer pointed her pistol and demanded he drop the weapon, and he complied, they said.
In a news release Saturday night, police stressed that no one was shot during the incident, though some people reported hearing gunfire. Segura and some officers had only minor injuries after a brief struggle, authorities said.
Walmart management later told investigators Segura had been in the store several times in the past few days, and was seen sleeping in a vehicle in the parking lot.
Charged with terroristic threats, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, reckless conduct, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, theft by shoplifting and obstructing police, Segura is to have a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Monday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.
This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 8:12 PM with the headline "Man who threatened north Columbus Walmart customers with knife faces seven charges."
