Man Accused Of Robbing Walmart, Hitting Security Guard

A man is accused of trying to steal a television and walkie-talkie from and then hitting a security guard who tried to stop him.

A security guard spotted Virgil Combs walking around the store Friday evening. The guard thought Combs looked like someone who had stolen a television from Walmart previously, Mentor Police Lt. Ken Zbiegien said.

Consequently, the guard watched Combs and saw him take a TV and use wire cutters to cut the scanner from its box, Zbiegien said. Then Combs tried to take the television but security guards and the store manager stopped him.

Combs -- who is 48 and lives in Painesville -- refused to cooperate and scuffled with the guards.

At one point, he shouted, "I have a gun and I'll shoot you," according to the police report.

Combs then pulled the wire cutters from his pocket and hit one of the guards in the neck, giving him a 1-inch cut, Zbiegien said.

An off-duty Mentor Police officer happened to be shopping at the store. He saw the fracas and handcuffed Combs, Zbiegien said.

The guard who was cut declined medical treatment.

Combs was charged with aggravated robbery and possession of criminal tools. The tools, in this case, refer to the wire cutters.

Combs was arraigned Tuesday in . Judge John Trebets set his bond at $150,000, which was not posted.

Combs's next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

The following arrest information was supplied by the Mentor Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. For questions about this story, email jason.lea@patch.com.