Entering a residence without permission by removing screws on a padlock to gain entry resulted in the Feb. 4 arrest of a 40-year-old man. 

James Lloyd Roach, homeless, was arrested by Linton Police Department Officer JR Blazier on charges of residential entry break and enter a dwelling, resisting law enforcement, refusal to aid an officer, and two charges of battery against a public safety official. 

Blazier responded to a call stating Roach had entered a residence without permission. A witness at the scene told Blazier only he and his uncle had permission to be at the residence. 

When Blazier knocked on the door of the residence, Roach answered. Roach allegedly stated he had permission to be inside the residence, while the witness claimed he did not. According to the probable cause affidavit, the witness asked Roach how he gained access. Roach showed the witness a padlock on the door where he had removed three screws of the locked latch to gain entry. The witness again said Roach did not have permission to be at the residence and said he wanted him arrested. 

Blazier and Deputy Devan Goad of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department attempted to place Roach in handcuffs. Roach allegedly tensed up, stated that he did not want to go to jail, and pleaded with the witness to allow him to sign a no trespass order and let him leave. Roach was told he was being placed under arrest and advised to stop resisting law enforcement.

Roach was placed against the front of Goad’s patrol vehicle and he began to kick at officers and struck Deputy Goad in the right thigh, causing pain and discomfort, according to the probable cause affidavit. He also struck Officer Blazier twice – in the right shin and thigh – also causing pain and discomfort, per the probable cause affidavit. Due to resisting law enforcement, Roach was taken to the back passenger side of my Blazier’s vehicle for transport to the Greene County Jail. 

Roach refused to get into the back seat of the patrol vehicle. According to the probable cause, he continued to tense up and extend his legs so he would not bend over to get into the seat. Blazier used a series of hand and knee strikes on Roach to get him to bend over and get into the vehicle. Blazier wrote in the probable cause that Roach continued to resist law enforcement and refused to get in the vehicle. 

Blazier advised Roach if he did not get into the vehicle and comply, he would be tased. According to the probable cause, Roach continued to resist. Blazier drew his department-issued taser, again advising Roach he would be tased, and displayed a warning arc to get compliance; however, Roach continued to fight. Blazier placed his taser against Roach’s right thigh and administered two dry stuns. Roach fell into the back seat and Deputy Goad pulled him around in the seat so he could be secured by the seat belt. During this time, according to the probable cause, Roach continued to try to get out of the seat. 

While en route to the Greene County Jail, Roach attempted to unclip his seat belt. Blazier advised him to leave the seat belt on. While traveling on State Road 54 in the area of Pregnancy Choices, Roach unclipped his seat belt. Blazier stopped his patrol vehicle and Deputy Goad, who was following him, helped resecure Roach’s seat belt. Roach continued to argue and complain with the officers and refused to ride to the jail with Officer Blazier. Deputy James Carpenter of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department arrived and spoke with Roach. Roach agreed to be transported to the jail by Deputy Goad. 

Roach was moved from Blazier’s patrol vehicle to Goad’s and transported to Greene County Jail without further incident. 

Blazier returned to the scene and photographed the residence as well as the area where Roach had removed the screws to gain access. 

Roach’s bond was set at $9,500 surety with 10 percent cash allowed. 

He is being charged with: 

• Residential entry break and enter dwelling, a Level 6 Felony

• Battery against a public safety official, a Level 6 Felony

• Battery against a public safety official, a Level 6 Felony

• Resisting law enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor

• Refusal to aid an officer, a Class B Misdemeanor