HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 35-year-old Hutchinson man recently arrested by police leading to new charges was back before Judge Trish Rose Friday morning.
Sonny Bray is accused of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, felony theft, battery and interference with law enforcement. Bray is accused of biting one of the officers as he was taken into custody at Tractor Supply at 1203 N. Lorraine back on Sept. 26, 2014. He’s also alleged to have battered a woman at the store while all this was occurring. Deputy T.J. Perez suffered three broken ribs as a result of the exchange and was off duty for a short time as a result.
He failed to appear in this case and now that he’s back in custody, Judge Rose set another trial date for Oct. 13 and a pretrial hearing for Oct. 2.
After his arrest on July 19, Bray now faces additional charges of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, criminal use of a weapon, a shotgun with an 18-inch barrel or less, felony interference with law enforcement, felony flee and elude, driving while suspended, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident and two counts of failing to give information at an unattended property accident.
He has a third case pending where he’s charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. In that case, the state alleges that he struck a man with a glass bottle back on April 13.
The apprehension of Bray occurred when Police were dispatched to Dillons at 725 E. 4th after a citizen reported seeing Bray at that location in a vehicle in the parking lot. Officers responded and located the vehicle. When they pulled behind him, he allegedly fled the scene.
While Bray was fleeing from officers, he allegedly threw a sawed off shotgun out the window. A short pursuit ensued and traveled toward the south part of the city. While Bray was fleeing from the officers, he allegedly struck a parked tractor trailer in the 500 Block of East 3rd, but continued on. His vehicle went southbound on Plum and, at the intersection of East Avenue B and South Plum, he struck a curb along with a stop sign. This collision disabled the vehicle and Bray allegedly fled on foot, but was captured by officers.
He is also scheduled to be in court Monday for a status hearing on the latest charges.