Monday, June 8, 1998
Jaywalker requires six officers for capture
CRIME: Allegedly intoxicated, Barntaouse may be charged by UCPD
with battery of an officer
By Laura Luu
Daily Bruin Contributor
What started out as a jaywalking violation early Friday morning
turned into a violent scene as at least six UCPD officers struggled
to arrest one man.
A man who identified himself as Jonathon Barntaouse was stopped
by UCPD at the corner of Gayley and Le Conte at approximately 2:30
a.m. for crossing the street at a red light.
According to UCPD, Barntaouse was extremely intoxicated at the
time of the confrontation and started a fight with the officer.
Needing assistance, the officer called for backup.
Seven UCPD units responded to assist and blocked off the
intersection.
Police say that Barntaouse resisted attempts to take him into
custody, was verbally and physically aggressive, and refused to
comply with the officers.
At least six UCPD officers, one on each arm and each leg,
struggled to hold Barntaouse down.
Francis Mensah, a fifth-year student and member of Phi Kappa
Psi, was riding along with UC police officers that morning.
"(Barntaouse) was resisting and biting the officers," Mensah
said.
Paul Clemens, a second-year microbiology and molecular genetics
student, also witnessed the incident.
He was surprised to see the number of police officers required
to arrest one man.
"Six cops took him to the ground," Clemens said.
Sergeant Tracy Collingsworth, the UCPD watch commander that
morning, was among those who responded to the call.
"In a situation like this, everyone responds to the call," she
said.
Barntaouse was finally pinned to the ground, handcuffed and
strapped down with leather restraints to keep his legs from
moving.
"They did everything in their power to restrain him," Mensah
said.
After he was secured, an ambulance transported Barntaouse to the
hospital.
"He was (still) talking trash to the officers as they rolled him
into the hospital," Mensah said.
Since Barntaouse allegedly resisted arrest, his aggressive
non-compliance and verbal and physical resistance are being
considered by police as a crime situation.
At this time, UCPD is not releasing any additional information
since the allegedly crime is still under investigation. UCPD may
charge Barntaouse with battery of a police officer.