Sometimes it's okay to laugh at reported crimes, especially when no one gets hurt. A recent incident that gives new meaning to the term "Black Friday" is a real gem: A Chicago man was charged with assault and property damage for allegedly smashing TVs and cameras with a hammer (Fox Minnesota) at a Winona, Minnesota Target store.
But it wasn't just vandalism. Witnesses say 39-year-old Jerome Eberle really put on a show until he was finally tasered and taken into custody by police.
Eberle walked like "Frankenstein" and repeatedly muttered the word "hammer" in a monotone voice as he battered shelves of electronics, according to witnesses, scaring the living daylights out of customers as they fled the store. He even had blood on his face, according to officers, but didn't appear to be injured (shaving accident?).
Eberle repeatedly swung his hammer at the officers as they chased him through the store. Fearing the business end of a claw hammer, cops subdued Eberle with a Taser.
Eberle only remembered parts of the incident when questioned by police and was taken to a Winona Health for a mental health evaluation.
While the crime took place in Minnesota, perhaps the Chicago resident was merely doing his part to represent the more "eccentric" side of the Windy City. Now he faces first-degree property damage, disorderly conduct, two counts of assault of a police officer and obstruction of justice.
If he cops an insanity plea, then he may spend time in a mental hospital instead of the Big House.
And the frightened shoppers? Well, they have one of the best-ever holiday shopping stories to tell their friends and family each year.
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