Man arrested after stripping off and causing disturbance at Visalia Convention Center | YourCentralValley.com

Archive photo. (Source: Getty Images)

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 31-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly attempted to remove a defibrillator from the wall of the Visalia Convention Center and then began removing his clothing, Visalia police said.

Police said officers were called to the convention center at 2:14 p.m. because a man identified as 31-year-old Gerard Munoz of Fresno was attempting to remove a defibrillator from the wall. Security reported that Munoz began to remove his clothing and attempted to run down the stairs where a beauty pageant was taking place.

According to police, the convention center was immediately evacuated before the man completely undressed and entered a restroom.

Officers said when they arrived at the scene, they attempted to negotiate with Munoz to leave the restroom, but he refused. They then entered the restroom, where the suspect resisted arrest but was eventually taken into custody.

He was taken to Kaweah Health for medical evaluation.

According to police, Munoz will face charges of resisting arrest, vandalism, drug abuse and causing a public nuisance after his release.