BY CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
Ronald Sinclair, 55, of Millbrook remains in custody on $2,500 bond after a domestic violence report Sunday night, where tactical officers were forced to breach the door of a home.
On Sunday, March 1, 2020, at approximately 10:15 PM, Millbrook police officers responded to a complaint alleging a domestic violence incident had occurred in the 2700 block of Rainge Road. The complainant advised officers that an individual had struck his brother with a lead pipe, drug him inside the residence and that he’d threatened her with the pipe as well. The complainant advised that she was able to leave the residence and responded to the Millbrook Police Department to seek assistance. Responding officers attempted to make contact with the suspect and victim, to no avail. Officers were able to ascertain that the entrance to the residence had been barricaded. The complainant also advised officers on scene that the suspect may be in possession of a firearm.
The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office was contacted for assistance due to the possibility of an injured hostage present. After repeated efforts to get the suspect, later identified as Ronald Sinclair, a 55-year-old Millbrook resident, to open the door, or no contact was able to be made with the alleged victim, law enforcement officials made forcible entrance into the residence. Sinclair was detained without incident or injury. The victim was found to be safe and had no visible signs of physical injury. Mr. Sinclair was placed under arrest, being charged with Domestic Violence 3rd Degree “Menacing”, Domestic Violence 3rd Degree “Harassment” and Obstructing a Governmental Operation. Sinclair was transported to the Elmore County Jail, where he remains under a $2,500 bond.
Most of this situation could have been avoided had the alleged offender in this case had cooperated with police officers on the scene Sunday night. Based on the complainant’s statements we understand that a domestic violence situation occurred between the offender and his brother. It was alleged the offender physically assaulted the victim with a dangerous/deadly weapon and that he pulled the victim into the residence. When our officers arrived on the scene and attempted to contact the alleged offender, had we been able to establish that the victim had no visible physical injuries and that the situation would not worsen should no enforcement action be taken, it’s entirely possible that an arrest would not have been necessary.
Based on the information given by the complainant, intelligence gathered by law enforcement on the scene and based on previous encounters with the alleged offender, officers were placed into a situation where their primary concern was for the health and welfare of the victim. After approximately a three-hour standoff and with an abundance of concern for the safety of all parties involved, we made the decision to forcibly enter the residence. Tactical officers made entry into the residence and were able to quickly take the subject into custody.
Had the alleged offender allowed us to verify that the victim was not injured and officers could articulate that there was no apparent danger of a reoccurrence of violence, a report would have been completed and the victim(s) would have had the opportunity to pursue charges through the warrant process, should he or they so desire. Now this offender faces several serious misdemeanor charges with our department, as well as a hold placed by the Sheriff’s Office for Resisting Arrest during the incident.
I want to express my appreciation to Sheriff Bill Franklin and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case. We have an outstanding working relationship with them and work well together. People need to understand that Domestic Violence laws require law enforcement to act anytime we see evidence of physical injury to the victim or believe that a situation could lead to a victim becoming injured without intervention from law enforcement. In this case we had no choice but to ensure that the alleged victim was safe and not in need of medical attention. I appreciate the professionalism of the officers involved and encourage people to cooperate with law enforcement when we are conducting operations. We have an obligation ensure that everyone is safe and that includes the officers involved as well.
