LAURINBURG — A Lumberton man was arrested at Scotland Memorial Hospital early Monday morning after causing a scene with police that became physical.
Russell Bell, 31, of Kenric Drive in Lumberton, was arrested after refusing to leave the hospital property, using excessive profanity, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.
According to Assistant Police Chief Terry Chavis, officers responded to the hospital around 1 a.m. where Bell was in the emergency room causing a disturbance. Officers noticed Bell had been drinking and his words were slurred. Chavis said Bell first told officers he was there with his son, then changed it to say he was there to fix a door.
“He was told to leave the premises,” Chavis said, who added that Bell broke a photograph on the wall and was escorted from the emergency room by officers.
Once outside he stated he left his phone inside, but when an officer went inside to locate the phone, Bell began to use profanity towards another officer despite being told to stop. The officer who looked for the phone returned to say there was no phone and Bell was asked to leave the premises again. He refused, continuing to use profanity and causing a disturbance.
Bell reportedly pushed the officers away, which caused them to take Bell to the ground in order to arrest and cuff him. When trying to get him into the police car, Bell kicked one officer twice before being put in the vehicle.
Bell was subsequently charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault on a police officer. He was given a $3,500 bond.
Katelin Gandee can be reached at 910-506-3171 or [email protected].