Police order arrest warrant for man who tried to run over True Value manager

Justin Viohl, 33, of Rio Rancho, was summoned on an arrest warrant Feb. 9 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shoplifting at True Value Hardware on Southern Blvd.

After the incident, the store manager told officers a man wearing black clothing with short, almost no hair, and a beard entered the store and began looking at merchandise. He grabbed a few different types of tools and other merchandise from the racks (worth about $80), peered around the store, exited, and got into a small, red vehicle.

The manager followed after the man and as he was seated in the driver seat, she pulled her phone out to take pictures of the vehicle before it left, proceeded around the back of the car. He reversed quickly straight toward her, almost striking her with the vehicle. He stopped and sped out of the parking lot.

The series of events was corroborated by an employee witness and surveillance footage. The footage also helped police identify Viohl as the suspect.

If convicted, Viohl will face two years in prison.