What started as a theft call at a Brownsburg restaurant last night ended with a 41-year-old man in handcuffs, accused of grabbing for an officer’s taser during a scuffle in the bathroom at Don Julio's Bar & Grill. Police say the encounter turned physical when the man moved toward an officer, leaving the officer with a visible abrasion and forcing three officers to step in before the suspect was finally restrained and taken to the county jail.
How officers say the arrest unfolded
According to court documents, Brownsburg police responded around 6:28 p.m. to a reported theft at Don Julio's on the 700 block of East Main Street. Officers say they encountered the man in a bathroom, where he allegedly moved his hands toward an officer’s taser. That motion sparked a struggle in the tight space, the documents state, with three officers ultimately needed to get the man under control and handcuffed. One officer suffered a visible abrasion, and the suspect was transported to custody, as reported by Fox59.
Charges, breath test and alleged threats
Court records reviewed by Fox59 identify the suspect as 41-year-old James Justin Devault. He is charged with disarming a law enforcement officer (a Level 5 felony), battery against a public safety official (a Level 6 felony), resisting law enforcement (a Class A misdemeanor), and disorderly conduct and public intoxication (both Class B misdemeanors). A probable-cause affidavit states that a breath test showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.248% and quotes Devault as telling officers during transport, “run it, knuckle to knuckle.” Bond was set at $2,500, and a jury trial was scheduled for Sept. 8, 2026, according to the affidavit.
Booking and where to find case records
After the arrest, Devault was booked into the Hendricks County Jail and remains in county custody, according to Hendricks County. Public booking details and court dockets for Hendricks County can be accessed through the county’s inmate lookup and the statewide MyCase system (MyCase). For those wanting to contact local police or request records related to this or other incidents, the Brownsburg Police Department provides information on its reporting page (Brownsburg Police Department).
Legal implications
Indiana organizes felonies by level, and the law sets typical sentencing ranges accordingly. A Level 5 felony generally carries a sentence in the low single digits of years, while a Level 6 felony typically ranges from six months to 2½ years, with actual penalties dependent on prior convictions and statutory enhancements, according to state law. The full framework is detailed in the Indiana Code. As with all criminal cases, Devault is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What police say about training and safety
The Brownsburg Police Department’s recent reports highlight ongoing training and equipment reviews as part of its focus on officer safety and response, a backdrop officials say is important when situations quickly escalate. The department’s online reporting resources offer the public ways to follow up or seek additional information about active cases.
