On 09-23-21 at approximately 3:21 p.m., City of Carbondale Police Officers responded to the 100 block of North Giant City Road in reference to a trespassing complaint. Associates of a retail business called to report an individual was trespassing at the business that was previously banned from the property. When the initial responding officer arrived, he met with an employee who identified the individual that was trespassing.
The officer attempted to make contact with the individual in order to investigate the complaint further. The suspect refused to talk to the officer and refused to identify themself. The officer attempted to reason with the person, who was later identified as a juvenile. The suspect refused to comply, at which time the officer was of the opinion that the use of force was necessary to arrest the suspect. The officer, who was alone at the time, responded to the resistance of the suspect. An off-duty officer with another agency assisted with controlling a crowd of people that subsequently formed.
Once the suspect was in custody, they continued to refuse to cooperate and battered the officers. The officers made the determination to remove the suspect’s backpack in order for the suspect to be seated in the squad car. The suspect continued to refuse to provide their identity and was eventually identified by another officer. Officers made contact with a parent and the juvenile was released. The case is being reviewed by the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges of Trespassing, Resisting a Peace Officer and Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer.
There is a partial video of the incident circulating on social media. The video does not show the numerous attempts by the officer to get the suspect to comply and identify themself so the officer could further investigate the matter. If the offender would have complied, the incident would not have required a custodial arrest. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.