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MILLCREEK — A man allegedly upset that his briefcase was tossed in a dumpster was arrested Thursday after police say he assaulted a maintenance worker at an apartment complex and fired multiple shots.
A maintenance worker at the Holladay Hills Apartments, 3690 S. Highland Drive, found what police described as a discarded briefcase, or suitcase, while cleaning.
"The victim said he located a suitcase sitting in the middle of the road. The victim said after speaking to his boss, he threw the suitcase into the dumpster," according to a police booking affidavit.
Later, a man claiming that the briefcase was his, inquired about what had happened to it. When he found out, he first jumped in the dumpster, and then fired a round into the dumpster, the affidavit states. He then confronted the maintenance worker and while still holding the gun, punched the employee, said Unified Police Sgt. Melody Cutler.
As the maintenance worker, a man in his 30s, ran away, another shot was fired, Cutler said. It was not known where that shot ended up. No injuries from the shot were reported. The worker suffered minor injuries, she said.
The maintenance worker called police and gave a description of the gunman, including his "gold teeth," the affidavit states.
Police responding to the scene found John Henry Tinson Jr., 38, hiding nearby and arrested him for investigation of being a restricted person in possession of a weapon, aggravated assault, shooting in the direction of a person, and discharge of a firearm and assault. When interviewed by police, he claimed that his suitcase containing clothes was stolen from the trunk of his vehicle.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the suitcase and found a gun inside, the affidavit states.
