An Indiana man was accused of slashing a tire with a military-style knife and acting erratically inside the Sheetz on Center Avenue on Sunday, Feb. 18.

Butler Township police charged Brian M. Deweese, 30, with misdemeanors possession of a criminal instrument, resisting arrest, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, three counts of simple assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, and summary criminal mischief following a 911 call at 10 p.m. Sunday.

Police said they were informed a man, later identified as Deweese, was acting strangely inside the store and had a knife. A store employee said Deweese had attempted to shoplift earlier that day, according to charging documents.

Two witnesses on scene said they encountered Deweese acting strangely and saying the ATM ate his debit card while in the store, police said. Documents showed the witnesses described the conversation with Deweese as “odd, but friendly enough.”

Police said the witnesses left the store and entered their vehicle parked in front of the store when Deweese approached the vehicle and stabbed the right rear tire with the military-style knife.

Deweese then ran into the store and stood in the window watching the witnesses, according to documents.

Witnesses told police they had no altercation with Deweese before the incident, according to documents.

A store manager phoned police after Deweese reentered the store with the knife, as the incident alarmed customers, according to police.

Police said surveillance footage from the store confirmed the employee and witnesses statements.

Deweese was located behind a parked vehicle on Whippo Avenue and would not comply with officer’s orders, documents showed. As Deweese was handcuffed, police said he continually reached for his waistband.

A waist pouch with hypodermic syringes and the knife were confiscated, police said.

Deweese was arrested and placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $30,000. His preliminary hearing before District Judge Kevin O’Donnell is scheduled for Thursday.