Police: Man threatened missionaries before Tasing incident

An Idaho Falls man who is accused of attacking police is facing another charge.

According to Idaho Falls police, a man recognized the picture of 44-year-old Ronald Mencer Jr. as the man who took out a knife and threatened three men, including two Mormon missionaries, on April 7.

The victim said he was dropping the two missionaries off at their apartment when Mencer approached them and made some fierce gestures.

Mencer paced the sidewalk, took what appeared to be a small knife out of his pocket and then ran toward the man, police said. The man thought Mencer was going to stab him and took a defensive stance to protect himself.

Mencer did not stab him. He eventually walked away.

That’s the same night police said Mencer later attacked officers with a screwdriver, and had to be Tased. After officers finally restrained him, he passed out .

Mencer was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in a comatose state, but he regained consciousness there.

Mencer is now facing an additional charge of aggravated assault. He was already in jail on charges of battery on an officer and obstructing and resisting arrest.