BEDFORD – A Bedford man was taken into custody Friday evening following a report of a physical domestic disturbance at a residence on P Street. Kenneth Ray Arthur, 47, was arrested by the Bedford Police Department and faces a preliminary charge of domestic battery.
Officers were dispatched to a home in the 1000 block of P Street at approximately 7:04 p.m. on October 24, after dispatch received a 911 call. The female complainant reported Arthur had punched her in the face, damaged her vehicle, and had been drinking before leaving the scene on foot.
Upon arrival, BPD Officer Michael Bell met with the victim while other officers unsuccessfully searched the immediate area for Arthur.
In a video-recorded statement, the woman told officers that the altercation began after Kenneth had been drinking and had taken her vehicle while she was at work. She stated that she later located him near the intersection of Sandpit and Mitchell Roads and drove him and the car back to their P Street address.
Once there, she told him to leave the residence. According to the woman’s statement, as she was walking toward the passenger side of the vehicle, Kenneth began damaging wires under the steering wheel. She alleges that he then pushed her and punched her in the left side of her face while she was stumbling backward. She confirmed that she wished to pursue charges and completed a domestic battery affidavit. Other individuals on the scene confirmed hearing Kenneth screaming at the woman from inside the house.
While officers were still on the scene completing their investigation, Kenneth Arthur returned on foot. Officer Bell immediately placed him in handcuffs.
After being advised of his Miranda Rights, Kenneth Arthur admitted that he and the woman were arguing about him taking her vehicle. However, he claimed that the woman was the aggressor and had punched him in the face. He denied hitting or pushing the woman and stated he did not wish to press charges against her. He also denied causing any damage to the vehicle.
During the interaction, Officer Bell noted that Arthur displayed poor balance and had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Arthur was administered a preliminary breath test, which yielded a positive result for alcohol at 0.216 BrAC.
Arthur was transported to IU Health Bedford before being booked into the Lawrence County Jail for a medical evaluation.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
