Advertisement

Texas woman arrested after failing to stop and talk to police officer

Officer claims that Melissa Bonnette was evading police because she wouldn't stop and speak to him.

By Evan Bleier
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

WHITEHOUSE , Texas, April 14 (UPI) -- A Texas woman who was approached by a police officer who was “acting suspicious” was arrested after she failed to stop and talk to him.

Melissa Bonnette was out for a walk on Friday morning when a Whitehouse Police Department officer pulled up alongside her on a motorcycle and asked her to talk.

Advertisement

The officer, Shawn Johnson, allegedly approached Bonnette because she was walking on the wrong side of the road.

"I thought that maybe he was flirting," Bonnette told KYTX. "I just thought it was odd, I thought it was odd. I wasn't really sure but I felt uncomfortable because there wasn't anyone around. He just crept along beside me on his motorcycle and he started saying, 'Hey ma'am! I want to talk to you. Hey stop, ma'am! I want to talk to you.' Then my anxiety rose even higher.”

Bonnette refused to stop and began jogging away from Johnson. He then got off the bike, tackled her and put her in handcuffs.

"Normally if a police officer pulls up, in my opinion, it's awful odd for somebody just to take off and not want to speak to the police officer," said Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton. "And he had a lawful reason to be there and to stop her."

Advertisement

No charges were filed after the arrest.

"I really don't want to live in a town where something like this could happen to a law-abiding citizen," Bonnette said. "I'm not going to be able to walk anymore, and that's sad because I enjoy walking every day. But I'm terrified. It was just so traumatic."

[KYTX]

Latest Headlines