By Bonnie Culverhouse
Minden Police arrested a local man recently on multiple charges including resisting an officer, resisting an officer by force and violence and simple criminal damage to property.
Johnel Woodard Jr., 38, of the 100 block of Pine Street was arguing with a female on Main St. near the library when MPD officer Jason Lee was dispatched to break up the incident.
Chief Steve Cropper said his office was told there were children at the scene and the two adult subjects were throwing things at one another.
“Off. Lee pulled his police unit into a close parking spot near Woodard, who was then walking down Main St., pushing a child’s stroller,” Cropper said. “Woodard immediately began telling the officer that he had not done anything wrong.”
Cropper said the officer observed a crying infant in the stroller.
“The officer asked Woodard to identify himself, but he refused to answer the question,” said the chief. “Woodard failed to comply with numerous verbal orders to identify himself, so he was placed under arrest with the assistance of Lt. Chris Hammontree and and Sgt. Donald Brice.”
Woodard reportedly struggled with officers who were trying to put him in the police unit.
“While getting Woodard into handcuffs, a female, later identified as Taylor Robinson, came walking toward the officers from the west on the sidewalk,” Cropper said. “Robinson said she and Woodard were near the library, trying to call a taxi to take them to their residence when they got into a verbal altercation. She said Woodard then threw a cup of ice at her. Although it didn’t hit her, there were two small children present at the time.”
Woodard was transported to MPD and reportedly began yelling profane statements, saying multiple times that he wanted to engage in a physical altercation with the officers.
At MPD, Woodard continued to yell obscenities at the officers and kicked the unit door, causing a dent.
After being held at MPD, Woodard was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
