Man arrested after string of erratic behavior downtown

EL DORADO — A 23-year-old man was arrested Tuesday on misdemeanor charges after El Dorado Police responded to reports of a man behaving erratically at several downtown businesses and a church.

Phillip A. Ward, of 922 E. Cedar, faces charges of second-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Officers were called at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday to First Baptist Church, 200 W. Main, in reference to a man incessantly ringing the buzzer outside the church.

Police said the man, later identified as Ward, told them that “if someone rings the bell, they will blow up.”

Nine minutes after officers told Ward to leave the church, they received a call about a man “behaving suspiciously” outside HealthWorks Fitness Center, 304 N. Madison.

The man reportedly placed what appeared to be a “balled-up” jacket inside a trash can outside the front entrance of the fitness center and ran away.

A description provided by employees matched a description of Ward, police said.

At 10:22 a.m., police received near-simultaneous calls about a man behaving erratically at the Black Cat Café, 177 E. Main, and PJ’s Coffee, 106 W. Main.

Officers said a description of the man and his clothing matched that of Ward.

The owner of Black Cat told police that a man was banging on the eastern door of the business.

An employee went outside and told the man that Black Cat was not yet open for the day and provided the hours for the business, according to a police report.

The business owner said the man then said, “I’m sorry to do this,” before unscrewing an exterior light bulb, throwing it to the ground — causing it to shatter — and stomping on the broken pieces.

The man then reportedly walked toward PJ’s Coffee, where employees said he caused a disturbance by throwing his hat around the business and shouting.

Police made contact with Ward at PJ’s and took him into custody.

He was positively identified in the incident reported at Black Cat.

Ward was booked into the Union County Jail, with a bond of $860 and on a citation to appear in 35th Judicial District Court on July 10.