MASON COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man yells and screams, causing a disturbance due to him losing a game he was playing in the electronic section of Walmart. He also was caught stealing candy bars.
On August 23, 2024, at approximately 9:45 PM, Patrolman C. Turner received a call from a Walmart associate named Debra Brandal, reporting a male subject yelling and screaming in the electronics section of the Walmart store in Mason County, West Virginia.
Upon arrival, Patrolman Turner was met by a witness, who confirmed that the male subject was still in the electronics area, continuing his loud, disruptive behavior. Patrolman Turner approached the male subject and immediately noticed signs of intoxication, including the strong smell of an alcoholic beverage and bloodshot, watery eyes.
When Patrolman Turner asked the subject, later identified as Denny Gleason of West Columbia, WV, why he was yelling, Gleason stated that he had been playing a game on the Walmart computers and had lost, leading to his outburst.
Patrolman Turner then noticed that Gleason had items stuffed in the back pockets of his pants. When asked where he had obtained them, Gleason admitted to stealing the items, which turned out to be candy bars from the Walmart store. Patrolman Turner informed the Walmart associate about the stolen items and escorted the disorderly Mr. Gleason to the Walmart AP office.
Throughout the interaction, Mr. Gleason continued to yell and scream despite being told multiple times to stop. At one point, he even threatened to strike Patrolman Turner and “knock him out.” Patrolman Turner then requested backup, and Mason County Deputy Gibbs arrived on the scene.
The officers attempted to escort Mr. Gleason out of the store, but he resisted, stating again that he was going to strike the officers. Patrolman Turner then tried to place Mr. Gleason in handcuffs, at which point the subject tensed up and actively resisted. The officer took Mr. Gleason to the ground and placed him in handcuffs, but he continued to resist and pull away as they escorted him out of the store and into Deputy Gibbs’ patrol vehicle.
During the transport to the Mason Metro station, Mr. Gleason’s combative behavior persisted. He repeatedly unbuckled himself and attempted to climb into the front of the patrol vehicle where the officers were seated.
Patrolman Turner had to repeatedly stop the vehicle to re-secure Mr. Gleason in the backseat. At one point, near Letarts and Gravel in Gallipolis Ferry, WV, Mr. Gleason entered the front of the vehicle and grabbed hold of the radio, tearing the wires from the microphone. Patrolman Turner then requested another unit with a hobble restraint, and Lieutenant Varian from the Mason County Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene.
Patrolman Turner, Patrolman A. Turner, Deputy Gibbs, and Lieutenant Varian worked together to apply the hobble restraint to the combative Mr. Gleason, during which process he kicked Patrolman C. Turner in the upper right arm bicep area.
Finally restrained, Mr. Gleason was transported to Rivers Health due to being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or narcotics. After being cleared from Rivers Health, Mr. Gleason was taken to Western Regional Jail, where he awaits his arraignment.
Gleason is charged with public intoxication, intimidation of a public officer, disorderly conduct, battery, and obstruction.
