Head of SC NAACP arrested after incident at dry cleaners

Herald Online ^ | July 17, 2013 | Rachael Myers Lowe

[Gamecock]

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The head of the SC NAACP, Lonnie Randolph, was arrested Friday night at a Five Points dry cleaners after a disagreement with employees.

According to the incident report, Columbia police were called to Tripp’s Fine Cleaner at 830 Harden Street around 7:15 p.m. Friday.

An employee told officers that Randolph, 63, refused to pay his bill, refused to leave the premises after being asked to do so several times and then began to act erratically.

Once Randolph was escorted out of the business by police officers, the employee told officers the manager wanted Randolph banned from the business, at which point Randolph reportedly became agitated and acted erratically. According to the incident report, he raised his voice and resisted officers’ attempts to move him to and into a patrol car. After a brief tussle, which included an officer kneeing Randolph in the stomach twice and slapping him on the chest once, Randolph was put in the patrol car.

Paramedics were called to the scene and took Randolph to Palmetto Health Richland, where he declined treatment.

Interim Police Chief Reuben Santiago, who was informed of developments, told officers to ticket Randolph and release him. City manager Teresa Wilson, also informed as the incident unfolded, responded to the scene.

Efforts to Reach Randolph and his attorney, Joe McCullough, late Tuesday were unsuccessful.

[GeronL]

???

having diabetes makes it okay??