FROM CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
Editor’s Note: The photo is taken from the suspect’s drivers license photo, and is not the official mugshot.
On Sunday, May 31, 2020, Millbrook police responded to multiple complaints of a vehicle driving in a reckless manner on Highway 14. Responding officers observed a vehicle matching the description given, a 2010 Toyota Corolla gray in color, in the 4000 block of Highway 14. Officers observed the vehicle commit multiple traffic violations, swerving in and out of multiple traffic lanes, nearly striking other vehicles on the roadway. When officers activated their emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle, the vehicle continued westbound refusing to stop. The vehicle continued until it got caught in traffic and stopped at the traffic signal at Highway 14 and I-65.
Officers approached the vehicle and ordered the driver to exit the vehicle with his hands in plain view. The driver, later identified as Rhajah L. Jones, a 23-year-old Wetumpka resident, ignored officer’s commands and refused to exit the vehicle. When an officer attempted to remove Jones from the vehicle he held on to the steering wheel. The officer stepped back, at which time the subject lunged out of the vehicle, moving toward the officer in an aggressive manner. The officer took the individual to the ground and a brief struggle ensued. During the struggle officers observed what appeared to be marijuana in the alleged offender’s mouth. The suspect actively resisted officer’s efforts to restrain him, spitting directly into one of the officer’s face. The subject was placed under arrest, being charged with Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Resisting Arrest, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer (Bodily Fluids). Jones was transported to the Millbrook Police Department, where he was processed and released on bond.
This entire situation should never have occurred. From my understanding this individual was pulled over by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (State Troopers) prior to our officer coming into contact with the vehicle. The Troopers instructed Jones, who has a suspended driver’s license, to allow another party to drive the vehicle and released them after completing their traffic stop. Apparently when they entered Millbrook they pulled over and Jones resumed driving in the same reckless manner that got him pulled over by State Troopers, which resulted in multiple complaints to our agency.
When our officers observed him and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, he disregarded the officer’s attempts to pull him over, refusing to stop until running into traffic stopped at a traffic signal. When approached by officers, Jones failed to comply with their commands, aggressively approaching an officer, at which point he was taken to the ground and detained after a brief struggle. This individual spit in a police officer’s face. That is one of the most disrespectful things that you can do to another human being. Had this young man followed the instructions given him by law enforcement during his initial traffic stop and allowed the other party to operate the vehicle this situation does not occur. Had he stopped when the officer activated his emergency equipment and complied with officer’s lawful commands, this situation does not occur.
At the end of the day this young man was driving in a reckless manner, his driving privileges had been suspended and he created a situation that placed him, law enforcement and others in danger. This individual turned a traffic violation into a violent and dangerous situation that was senseless and inexcusable. Our officers are not out here to harm people, nor are we out here to be assaulted and spit upon. Our officers did what was necessary to get this individual off the roadway and take him into custody using only that force necessary to do so. We are out here to protect our citizens. This situation was totally avoidable and unnecessary. I hope our court system sends a strong message when this individual answers his charges. This type of behavior is unacceptable under any circumstances, particularly in the middle of a major intersection on a busy state highway.
