Police arrest naked man at Merced Mall

A naked man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of running through the Merced Mall vandalizing property while under the influence of drugs, the Merced Police Department reported.

Merced police said Irvo Noel Otieno, 19, was arrested after he tried to fight with officers in the mall’s north parking lot. Officers shocked Otieno with a stun gun after he took a “fighting stance and brought his arms forward in an aggressive manner,” Capt. Tom Trindad said.

Trindad said the man may have also been “growling” at the officers.

“The officers said he was acting bizarre and was under the influence of a controlled substance,” Trindad said.

Officers responded around 12:49 p.m. to the mall after receiving reports of a nude man running through various stores, knocking items off shelves and other unspecified damage, police said.

“He was in Kohl’s and ran the length of the mall,” Trindad said.

Police did not have an estimate on the amount of damage done.

There were no injuries.

Otieno apparently continued to be combative with authorities after his arrest, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department reported.

“He was uncooperative with deputies and they were unable to take his photograph during the booking process,” Sgt. Delray Shelton said. “Once he becomes cooperative, his photograph will be taken to complete the booking process.”

Otieno was examined by medical personnel before he was booked at the Merced County jail on suspicion of vandalism and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors. He was still in custody Thursday afternoon with bail set at $7,000, according to booking records.

This story was originally published November 20, 2014 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Police arrest naked man at Merced Mall."