An Arkansas City man accused of strangling his mother early Monday also allegedly attempted to grab an officer’s holstered firearm while being taken into custody, according to the Arkansas City Police Department.
Police said the investigation began at about 3:20 a.m. when a 61-year-old woman fled to a neighbor’s home seeking help after she was allegedly strangled by her son, 42-year-old Kody Wayne Nuss. During the assault, the victim’s glasses were broken and her cellphone, medication and vehicle were taken before Nuss fled the area, police said.
The woman was not injured and did not require hospitalization.
At about 6:30 a.m., officers responded to reports of the stolen vehicle being driven erratically and striking a parked vehicle. Police located Nuss as he exited the vehicle and attempted to take him into custody.
According to a police media statement, Nuss refused officers’ commands and became verbally combative. While handcuffed behind his back and being escorted to a patrol vehicle, he allegedly attempted to grab an officer’s holstered firearm. Officers prevented him from gaining control of the weapon and used force to safely take him into custody. Police said the victim’s cellphone and medication were recovered after his arrest. Continue below ad.
Investigators also developed probable cause to investigate Nuss for driving under the influence and obtained a search warrant for a blood sample. Police said Nuss continued to resist, requiring officers to use force so Arkansas City Fire/EMS personnel could safely obtain the sample.
Kansas court records show Nuss has prior felony convictions for drug and fleeing-or-eluding offenses, along with a 2009 DUI conviction in Sumner County.
Nuss was booked into the Cowley County Jail on charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement, theft, criminal damage to property, possession of a depressant and driving under the influence. Additional traffic-related charges are expected through the Cowley County Attorney’s Office. His bond was set at $52,000.
Nuss remained in the Cowley County Jail Tueday afternoon, according to information available online.
