MARION – Marion Police arrested a West Frankfort man after officers were sent to SIH Urgent Care last Monday night in response to a report of a suspicious person circling the parking lot in a black Nissan and attempting to get the female employees to come to his vehicle.

According to Marion Police, around 5:45 p.m. an officer arrived at the scene and saw the black Nissan driving around the parking lot and finally park in a stall. The officer approached the vehicle and attempted to speak with the driver. The driver would not speak to the officer and would not identify himself. The driver was hiding his right hand and refused to show the officer what, if anything, he had in his hand.

After repeated attempts to get the driver to comply with commands, the driver charged at the officer. The officer deployed his issued Taser, which had no effect on the man. A struggle ensued and the man attempted to get the officer’s service weapon out of the holster. Before he could get hold of the officer’s service weapon, the officer, which is an MPD K-9 Officer, activated the remote door opener to the squad car and released the K-9. The K-9 gained control of the man and the officer was then able to place handcuffs on and arrest him.

Police say the man, identified as 41-year-old Keith B. Hendrix, was taken to Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion for treatment. Hendrix was treated and released into police custody, where he was then transported to the Williamson County Jail pending a court appearance. Hendrix is initially charged with Resisting a Peace Officer, Resisting a Peace Officer-Injury to Peace Officer, and Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer.