TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Tuscaloosa Police Department says two people have been arrested following an incident that was captured on video and posted on social media.
The 35-second video shows an arrest made Tuesday night, according to Tuscaloosa Police.
Tuscaloosa Police say they went to the 3500 block of Loop Road at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to serve 29-year-old D’ereka Renee Geter Scott with warrants for second-degree assault and failing to appear in court on eight outstanding traffic offenses.
According to Tuscaloosa Police, officers knocked on the door and announced their presence numerous times over a 50-minute time span with no response. During that time, officers say they could see Scott and a man who was later identified as 33-year-old Timothy Williams, turning lights off and moving inside the residence without coming to the door.
Rather than breaching and damaging the doorway, officials say the officers opened an unlocked window of an unoccupied room and continued to announce their presence before entering the apartment through the window at 8:21 p.m. where they were immediately met by Scott who was recording with her phone.
When entering the apartment, officers found a child inside and took her to another room for safety.
Authorities say Scott went to the kitchen where she and Williams both actively resisted to comply with officers as they attempted to take them into custody.
Tuscaloosa Police say Scott’s second-degree assault charge stemmed from a Nov. 24 incident where a victim reported that Scott and another person broke their front window with a metal pole before striking her in the ribs and arm. The victim, who was hospitalized for her injuries, later obtained the warrant that officers were attempting to serve Tuesday night.
Scott has been charged with one count of resisting arrest, a felony assault charge, failure to appear in court for three seat belt violations, driving without insurance, following too closely, and three speeding tickets.
Williams was charged with resisting the arrest of another person.
Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley says he has reviewed the incident and believes the officers involved followed correct procedures.
Blankley released the statement below:
“The suspect knew officers were outside her residence for nearly an hour. They had seen her and spoken to her through an open window, but she ignored multiple opportunities to come outside or even engage with officers.
Instead, she chose to not comply and created a situation that forced officers to enter her home to take her into custody. Our officers will continue to protect our community, enforce our laws and arrest violent offenders.”
Via WBRC