CENTRALIA — A 51-year-old Centralia man remains in the Marion County Jail on multiple charges after he was reportedly seen swinging a mallet around the area of Circle K on Centralia’s east side.

According to police, Gregory McCray allegedly grabbed a Centralia police officer by the neck as the officer was trying to question him.

Officers responding to the call report finding McCray walking on South Pleasant and ordering him to put down the mallet. He refused to do so, and he also refused to put his hands in the air and to take to take them out of his pockets.

As an officer attempted to remove McCray’s hand from his pocket, McCray allegedly grabbed the officer by the collar and also by the shirt mic.

McCray ultimately let go after the officer reportedly punched him, allowing officers to momentarily place McCray’s hands behind his back. They were then able to remove a large butcher knife from the man’s left pocket and throw it from the area of the altercation.

McCray was subsequently cuffed and taken into custody for alleged aggravated battery, resisting a peace officer, and unlawful use of weapons.

He was later transported to the Marion County Jail where he awaits the formal filing of charges and the setting of bail.