By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Lead Reporter - Salina Post
Early this morning at about 4:45 a.m., Kwik Shop employees from the gas station at 1727 West Crawford Street reported to Salina Police Department (SPD) officers that a man walked into the store naked and began battering employees with a stick in each hand.
SPD Capt. James Feldman said that the man assaulted three employees, the first at the back door of the convenience store and the second and third inside the local Kwik Shop.
When officers arrived at the store, employees had already subdued the subject, who SPD officers identified as 42-year-old Salina man Joshua Renfro.
The first employee Renfro allegedly assaulted was a 60-year-old employee Renfro pushed past to enter the store from the backdoor.
"There was a 55-year-old employee who heard a commotion in the business, and as he was at the back at the coolers, he observed the naked male who had two sticks in his hands," Feldman said. "This employee told the subject [Renfro] he needed to leave the business. Mr. Renfro then struck our victim several times in the head with one of the sticks and that employee suffered several cuts to his forehead and left eye."
Another employee, a 51-year-old woman, moved to assist her two coworkers when Renfro pushed her to the ground and caused an injury to her left elbow and an injury on her thigh.
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Emergency responders transported the 51-year-old woman to Salina Regional Health Center [SRHC] to treat the potentially broken elbow.
"Officers ended up wrapping the subject and transporting him to the hospital because they believe there's an influence of drugs," Feldman said. "I don't know if he's out [of the hospital], but he is going to be charged with two counts of aggravated battery and a count of simple battery."
Renfro did not attempt to steal any items at Kwik Shop — he only attacked employees in the convenience store.
Once hospital staff finish treating Renfro, SPD officers will continue considering further charges for the incident.
Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.