Man Resists Arrest, Breaks Officer’s Body Cam

By Jessie Williams

Stewart James Durham, age 26, of Lafayette, was arrested on multiple drug charges Saturday, September 27, after he broke an officer’s body cam and attempted to run from authorities.

 

According to the incident report filed by Lafayette Police Department Patrolman Jason Sells, Durham was a passenger in a vehicle he pulled over in the Hearthstone Inn parking lot.

The vehicle had a stolen license plate, and the driver was arrested.

Upon speaking to Mr. Durham, Officer Sells frisked him to confirm he didn’t have any weapons. After a knife was found, Mr. Durham pulled away when the officer got to his right, front pocket.

The officer asked Mr. Durham to place his hands behind his back, to detain him while making sure he didn’t have a firearm, and the suspect attempted to evade by foot.

“I had his arm and he continued to resist,” the report states. “He did not comply with verbal commands. While this was taking place, he was screaming and cursing out loud.”

Mr. Durham broke the officer’s body cam while trying to resist arrest.

Once in handcuffs, he admitted he was high.

Inside a container, Officer Sells found 1.72 grams of meth, a scale with residue on it and two unidentified tablets.

Mr. Durham was charged with manufacture/possession/delivery of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, evading arrest, public intoxication, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and vandalism. His bond was set at $15,000, and he is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on November 21, 2018.