Salina police arrested a motel guest after an incident involving a maintenance worker and an allegedly displayed rifle face-to-face. Officers responded Monday afternoon at about 2:15 to the Budget Host Motel at 222 E. Diamond Dr after reports of a gun being pointed at a maintenance worker.
Police said two maintenance workers were checking a plumbing issue after they noticed water running under the doorway of an occupied room. The workers began knocking and advising the occupant they needed to enter to check on the water. The occupant, identified as 70-year-old James Lee Smart of Salina, did not immediately open the door. After roughly 20 minutes, police said he opened the door and placed the barrel of a rifle at one worker’s face. The worker grabbed the barrel and pushed the rifle back, causing Smart to fall.
Police said the worker secured the gun and law enforcement was contacted. Smart was taken into custody and booked into the Saline County Jail on charges that could include aggravated assault. Police also said Smart had two Salina Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear.
NewsRadio 1150 KSAL reported the arrest details based on statements from Salina Police.