Serial offender punched cop in Walmart heist: Report

A man with a criminal record longer than a traffic jam on State Route 347 is accused of theft, leading police on a foot chase punching a cop in the face Tuesday night. 

Maricopa Police Department arrested 30-year-old Joseph T. Miller on felony counts of aggravated assault on an officer, resisting arrest, shoplifting and possessing drug paraphernalia. 

Police responded to a shoplifting report at Walmart around 8 p.m. Staffers said Miller stole a bag full of unspecified merchandise and fled on foot toward Tractor Supply Co. 

Police found him driving around in a dirt lot behind Tractor Supply Co.  

Cops stopped the car and found Miller sitting in the backseat, according to the probable cause statement. While officers talked to the driver outside, Miller reportedly climbed into the front seat, dropped some drug paraphernalia in a cupholder and then made a run for it. 

MPD Officer Conrad Starostecki chased Miller, who reportedly ignored lawful commands until exhaustion took over. 

When Starostecki tried to handcuff Miller, the suspect punched him in the mouth. Miller was subdued after a short scuffle. 

Miller later admitted to stealing from Walmart and admitted to dropping his “tooter” in the car. A “tooter” is a device commonly used to inhale drugs. 

Miller has been charged more than 80 times on counts of fighting, theft, burglary, resisting arrest, assault, drugs charges and transporting stolen goods. He’s been charged dozens of times for failing to show up in court, according to court records. 

He was on supervised release from prison when he was arrested this week. He was most recently released from prison Dec. 8. 

Miller’s history of thefts elevates his shoplifting charge to a felony. He faces a maximum of 34 years in prison.