Man arrested after attempting to stop motorists for a ride

BEDFORD – A Spencer man was arrested Saturday, March 9, after Bedford Police officers responded to a report of a male wearing dark clothing walking in the roadway at 5th and X Streets and attempting to stop passing vehicles.

When Capt. Kody Emmons and Officer Sarah Haluda arrived at 8:10 p.m. They located 62-year-old James Gregory Eads at 5th and W Streets.

James Gregory Eads

“He threw himself at my car, crossing oncoming lanes of traffic to get to me,” noted Officer Haluda. “I am familiar with Eads from numerous previous interactions. I initiated my red and blue emergency
lights to stop traffic and rolled down my window to speak with Eads. Eads immediately attempted to
climb into my window and asked me for a courtesy ride, something that he had asked Officers for
several times in the past. I could instantly detect the strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from
Eads’ breath and person.”

Officers moved Eads out of the roadway.

“As I was moving my vehicle, Eads again ran into traffic at a stopped car and had to be redirected out of traffic. Eads told me several times that I should arrest him but would not answer other questions. I asked Eads how much he had been drinking, and he stated more than I could ever make.”

Eads was told several times to lower his voice and stop yelling. He would not comply. He was then handcuffed. But continued to pull away from officers and was flailing and continued to be belligerent. He had to be forced into a police vehicle.

Eads was arrested on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Once at the jail, Eads continued to be uncooperative and refused to take a breath test.