Man assaulted police officer with toy monkey

A man arrested in a theft from a convenience store is accused of attacking a police officer with one of the stolen items — a stuffed monkey. Preston James Phipps, 24, of Des Moines, was arrested late on Saturday night after allegedly causing problems at the Git-N-Go convenience store in Des Moines.

Police Officer Andrew Pirtle said in a report that he saw a man carrying two stuffed animals leaving the store at about 10:20 p.m. Moments later the officer was flagged down and informed that the man had just made a mess in the store. Officer Pirtle stopped the man near Southwest Ninth and Loomis Avenue. As they talked, Pirtle noted the man’s mood switched quickly from passive to aggressive.



When Pirtle tried to take Phipps into custody, Phipps allegedly swung around and hit the officer in the face with a stuffed monkey. The officer managed to control the man’s hands and apply handcuffs. Phipps is in jail on charged with fifth-degree theft, disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer. Bond was set at $1,600.

A clerk at the store said that when she asked him what he was doing behind the counter, Phipps replied, “Don’t you worry about it. I’m going back to prison anyway.” Police said Phipps took one pair of sunglasses, two stuffed animals (pink and orange monkeys) and two packs of smokeless tobacco.