Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Theater Owner Diligently On Patrol To Ensure Safety Of Youngsters

   In the wake of a squabble at his business during which he was forced to summon law enforcement officials to intervene, a Lawrenceburg businessman now remains diligently on the alert in an effort to ensure that area youngsters remain safe.

   The incident was reported through the Lawrenceburg Police Department the evening of Saturday, January 26. Owner Joe Collis Rhoton summoned police officers to Crockett Cinemas when an individual began acting in an inappropriate manner and causing a ruckus in front of theater patrons.

   Rhoton told officers that the eighteen-year-old Lawrenceburg man had caused problems at the business on several occasions, including two weeks before when he had been forced to order him to leave the premises. “He was using bad language and causing a totally inappropriate scene for the young kids who were present,” Rhoton explained.

   When the man returned on this date, Rhoton said he again began to cause problems. Although the young man did offer an apology for his actions two weeks before, Rhoton said the teen then began making threats, even stating that he had a gun.

   The young man indicated to officers that he had become the victim when he returned to apologize. He indicated that while he spoke with him, Rhoton began hitting him.

   According to Rhoton, when the man headed for his vehicle in the middle of the dispute, “I had to pursue him to his car because if he had a gun inside, he could have started shooting at people. There were kids and teenagers all around…I am the owner and when people drop off their kids here I feel that they are somewhat my responsibility…I just try to take care of these kids like I would my own.”

   Before officers arrived on the scene, Rhoton was involved in a struggle with the young man while attempting to stop him from opening the trunk of his car. During the struggle, the young man reportedly dragged Rhoton with the door of his car, causing Rhoton to sustain several non-life threatening injuries. The man then fled to the parking lot at nearby Block Buster, where he later spoke with officers.

   Rhoton explains, “I’m just trying to make a living here and provide a nice safe environment where families can enjoy some good, clean entertainment.”

   No charges have yet been filed against the suspect, however the matter does remain under investigation through the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.

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