CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. — A traffic stop that began with an alleged seat belt violation June 23 led to the arrest of a driver after an Arkansas State Police trooper said the man refused commands and resisted being handcuffed.
According to an ASP report, Trooper First Class Gunner Fultz was patrolling in the area of Broadway and Ingram Boulevard when he saw a white sedan stopped at a red light. Fultz reported that the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
The trooper made a U-turn, but the sedan pulled away from the light and turned onto Broadway, according to the report. Fultz said the sedan quickly pulled into the Big Star parking lot, drove down the east side of the building and stopped behind a pickup parked against the wall.
The driver, identified in the report as Chris Thornton, got out of the car, lifted the hood and began walking toward the front of the store, Fultz reported.
Fultz activated his emergency lights and told Thornton he was being pulled over and to get back in the car. Because Thornton was already outside the vehicle, the trooper directed him to the front of the patrol unit, according to the report.
The report said Thornton indicated his driver’s license was in the car. Fultz wrote that, based on Thornton’s demeanor, his looking around the parking lot and his refusal to follow simple commands, the trooper decided to detain him because he suspected Thornton might flee on foot.
When Fultz attempted to place Thornton in handcuffs, Thornton became resistant and refused to be handcuffed, the report said. Fultz reported placing Thornton on the ground and forcing his wrists into cuffs before standing him up and waiting for responding units.
During a search of the sedan, Fultz reported finding a white plastic cup with red juice in the front seat that was confirmed to be alcohol.
Thornton was taken to the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, where the report said he provided two breath samples with a result of .04. He was booked on charges of open container, no seat belt and resisting arrest.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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