On 1-18-2015, at 2:09 AM, officers were sent to the 800 block of N. Evergreen on a burglary in progress. The resident reported that the suspect had a knife and was trying to get into the apartment where there were three children. The first responding officer saw an Asian male crouched in the yard, repeatedly and aggressively striking the ground with what was later found to be a meat cleaver. The officer ordered the man to stop. The suspect did not acknowledge the officer’s presence and continued striking the ground. After the officer’s repeated verbal commands, the man stood up, appearing agitated and aggressive, and started walking toward the officer, meat cleaver in hand at chest level. The officer had drawn his gun and moved backwards, continuing to issue verbal commands. The suspect was within a few feet of the officer when he suddenly dropped to the ground and resumed his erratic behavior with the cleaver. Backup officers surrounded the man and attempted to use a TASER to control him. Two TASER contacts did not stop the suspect’s behavior. He stood up, dropped the meat cleaver, and started walking away. Officers then tried to arrest the man with physical force. The suspect resisted and would not allow officers to control his arms or handcuff him. Officers believed the suspect was trying to reach for a weapon, and one officer located and removed a large fixed blade knife from a sheath on the suspect’s lower leg. Officers eventually were able to pull his arms behind him and take him into custody. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance due to complaint of pain and his erratic behavior was consistent with heavy narcotic use. Officers contacted the victim and found that the suspect broke two window panes, tried to pry open a window, and hit the door with the meat cleaver in his attempt to enter the home. He also cut telephone and cable wires. The victims in the apartment did not know the man. The suspect, Naisikenyan Pha, AM41, was treated and released and then booked into the Potter County Detention Center for attempted burglary of a habitation, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault against a public servant.
