The Alexandria Police Department held a press conference Sept. 14 to address the use of force during the arrest of an individual at a convenience store on MacArthur Drive in the early morning hours of Sept. 13.
Police Chief Chad Gremillion said officers were requested to clear a private parking lot at the Valero at 15 North MacArthur Drive at about 2 a.m. Officers used the patrol unit loudspeaker to instruct those present to leave the property or be arrested for trespassing. A no trespassing letter signed by the store owner was on file with APD.
Officers observed Trey Rosenthal blocking the exit of the private parking lot and refusing lawful commands to leave. According to Gremillion, Rosenthal was standing next to a running vehicle with the door open and talking to a female. An officer detected an odor of alcoholic beverage and asked Rosenthal for identification, which he refused to provide.
Gremillion said officers told Rosenthal at least 15 times that he was under arrest and instructed him to place his hands behind his back. Officers also warned him seven times that he would be tased if he did not comply.
After Rosenthal continued to resist, officers deployed tasers. Gremillion said the first deployment was ineffective, and Rosenthal rushed toward officers in an aggressive manner and attempted to strike an officer with his fist. Officers deployed tasers again, bringing Rosenthal to the ground.
Gremillion said four officers fired tasers, with two being effective, and that Rosenthal never lost consciousness. Officers stopped using the tasers once compliance was gained. He also said officers did not kick Rosenthal or place their knees on him and sat him up as soon as possible.
Due to the large crowd, officers used OC spray in the air and deployed a canine for crowd control. Gremillion said no one was directly sprayed or bitten by the canine. One additional person was arrested after allegedly throwing an object at officers.
Rosenthal was transported to a local hospital, where he refused medical treatment. Gremillion said Rosenthal voluntarily submitted to an alcohol test and tested at 0.120.
Rosenthal was charged with trespassing and remaining after forbidden, resisting an officer, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and aggravated resisting a police officer with force or violence. His bond was set at $7,000. He was booked into the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and later released.
Gremillion said the officers’ actions were consistent with their training, APD’s use of force policy and de-escalation policy.
He also addressed large crowds gathering in private parking lots during early morning hours, saying APD has worked with business owners, officers and partner agencies to address the issue.
Gremillion said the department would continue enforcing ordinances and laws related to the activity and working to prevent violent crime.
He said no trespassing letters allow private property owners to authorize APD to act on their behalf to remove people who are trespassing and are not patrons of the business.