SOUTH HAVEN | An intoxicated man killed a tavern's pet tarantula and then ran away without paying for the spider or the food and beverages he consumed, Porter County police said.

Jeremy Branshaw, 30, of South Haven, was arrested on charges of theft, public intoxication and resisting.

The incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Wo Joe's Saloon & Grub, near U.S. 6 and McCool Road in South Haven.

Rayette Monahan, Wo Joe's head bartender, said the tarantula that was killed, Harriet, had been a fixture at the bar for more than a year.

"I'm the one who took care of her," Monahan said.

Harriet spent her time in a cage and was not bothered until Sunday, Monahan said.

Monahan said Harriet, who is not accustomed to being handled by strangers, was removed from her cage by Branshaw -- with tragic results.

"She jumped out (of his hands) and hit the floor, and it killed her," Monahan said.

Monahan said the spider, which originally was brought into the bar by the owner's friends, was worth $20. Police reports state Branshaw, who did not have permission to handle the spider, offered to pay for it, but then dropped his beer mug and ran out without paying for the spider or his bar bill.

Officer Daniel Bocknick said he saw Branshaw walking in the area, but Branshaw took off running. The officer said he chased him to the wooded area behind the McDonald's restaurant on U.S. 6 and caught him.

Police said Branshaw stated he accidentally dropped the spider and stated he gave the bartender his credit card information so he's not sure why he was accused of not paying. Police said he also stated he fled because he runs every time he sees a "county cop."