TEMPLE, TX — The Temple Police Department has completed a review and determined an officer did not violate department policies in the arrest of a well-known man with autism.
The department says Officer Jacob Perkins did not violate any department policies or procedures and used minimum force to prevent Sergei Hall from being injured by passing traffic following an incident January 14.
According to the Temple Police Department, around 7:30 p.m., officers received a call about a man walking in and out of traffic near the intersection of South 31st Street and Southwest HK Dodgen Loop.
Police say the caller reported that the person, later identified as 30-year-old Sergei Hall, was acting erratically by flailing his arms and yelling.
The caller reported she was exiting Planet Fitness when she saw Hall in the parking lot, and that his behavior made her fear for her safety. As she exited the parking lot and turned onto 31st Street, she told police Hall walked in front of her car and stopped, causing her to brake abruptly to avoid hitting him.
Hall explains he was minding his business, waiting at this corner in Temple to cross the road for a sweet tea.
"I was just walking down the street with my music on, just doing my own thing, and then this officer just came out of no where, he just came, like I didn't even see him, and he kind of spooked me," he told 25 News the day after his arrest.
Police say Officer Jacob Perkins arrived on scene and made contact with Hall at the intersection of South 31st Street and the private driveway in front of Temple Mall.
TPD says Officer Perkins attempted to detain Hall to check on his well-being and prevent him from entering back into the roadway. The department says Hall did not comply and walked hastily away from the officer and into the lane of traffic.
That's when Hall says the officer grabbed him.
"And he kind of just threw me against the ground, and my face, my face hit the ground hard, like, my face smashed the ground," he recalled.
The department says Officer Perkins used a controlled takedown to gain control of Hall in a grassy area and placed him under arrest for the offense of evading arrest/ detention.
The Bell County Attorney's Office accepted the criminal charge and the Temple Police Department says they are continuing to work with the attorney's office regarding the case to provide assistance to Hall.
