By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a College Ave. location last Saturday on a check condition call.

Upon arrival, a man, later identified as Samson Woldu, was found slumped over the wheel inside a parked car.

One of the officers knocked on the car window approximately ten times, and did not get a response from Woldu.

Police then opened the driver’s side door to assess Woldu’s condition and shook his shoulder, attempting to wake him up. He reportedly came to eventually, but wasn’t coherent in his explanation of what had taken place. 

Woldu seemed confused and disoriented, according to reports, but stated he was parked in front of his house, which was later confirmed.

Throughout their interaction with Woldu, he reportedly behaved in a hostile manner towards the firefighters that had also reported to the scene, as well as to the police officers.

According to reports, Woldu repeatedly stated that the police were there because he was black, and assured them that he was born and raised in Somerville and had a valid American passport.

Woldu asked for the police officers’ badge numbers and names multiple times, and he was provided with that information each time.

The police officers had Woldu evaluated by EMTs, and he refused medical attention. The officers advised Woldu to get inside the house, as he had fallen asleep inside his vehicle.

Police cleared the call, but Woldu was reportedly heard having a phone conversation loudly while still seated in his car. He then exited his vehicle and approached two of the officers that were still one the scene. He repeatedly asked for their names and badge numbers, and stated that he did not know the reason they were harassing him.

Woldu was provided with the requested information, but then pulled out his phone and advised the officers that he was recording them. He reportedly turned on his phone’s flashlight and shined it on one of the officer’s face, standing inches away. 

The officer asked Woldu to turn off the flashlight, and back off, as he was within a space that made him feel unsafe. He refused, and the officer covered the flashlight with his hand, at which time Woldu smacked his hand away.

Woldu reportedly turned to another officer and did the same thing. She also requested that he back away at a safe distance. Woldu then reportedly stood in the middle of the roadway with his phone pointed at the officers, then came extremely close to an officer’s face with his phone once again.

The other officer moved his phone, to create distance from this officer’s face, and Woldu reportedly smacked her hands away.

The officers advised Woldu that he was going to be placed under arrest for assaulting a police officer, and requested that he place his hands behind his back.  He refused to do so, and both officers grabbed each of his forearms, attempting to place them behind his back.

According to police, Woldu resisted, twisting his body and using physical force to pull his arms away. When the officers were able to place Woldu in handcuffs, he attempted tp get away again.

The officers physically restrained Woldu, and forced him to sit while they waited for backup. Woldu reportedly continued resisting until the prisoner transport vehicle arrived, at which time he was taken to the police station and booked on charges of assault and battery on a public employee and resisting arrest.