BEDFORD — A Bedford woman was arrested Monday morning, May 4, 2026, after allegedly locking a tenant out of his own apartment, barricading herself inside while hallucinating, and physically fighting with a responding officer.
Kyle L. Laws, 35, faces preliminary charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and resisting law enforcement following the incident at an apartment complex on K Street.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Steven Hatton Jr., police were dispatched to 1305 K Street at approximately 8:51 a.m. regarding a verbal argument that neighbors reported had been going on for several hours.
Upon arrival, Officer Hatton was met outside by a male tenant. He explained that he was completely locked out of his home by Laws. He told police he had allowed Laws to stay the previous night so she could take a shower, but alleged she had used methamphetamine the day before and was acting erratically. He stated they had been arguing because Laws was talking to herself and holding conversations with people who were not there. He requested that she be legally removed from the property.
Officer Hatton approached the apartment door and could hear Laws yelling inside. When he knocked and identified himself as a Bedford Police Officer, Laws refused to open the door, insisting on talking through the wood. She claimed the apartment belonged to her and demanded that the male tenant leave. Despite being told that the male was the sole legal resident and that his keys were trapped inside, Laws refused to cooperate. The loud volume of her screaming inside the apartment drew neighbors out into the common hallway.
Seeking a resolution, Officer Hatton went to the complex’s leasing office. Employees stated they were already familiar with the situation, noting that police had been called just two weeks before to escort Laws off the property. An employee grabbed a master key and accompanied the officer back upstairs to unlock the door.
Once the door was opened, Laws began rambling incoherently, repeating her claim that the apartment was hers. Officer Hatton ordered her to gather her belongings and leave, but she refused, pacing back and forth, sweating profusely, and exhibiting glassy eyes. Laws denied using any illegal substances when questioned.
Instead of compliance, Laws repeatedly advanced toward Officer Hatton, screaming directly into his face each time she was told to pack her things.
After giving Laws multiple opportunities to leave peacefully, Officer Hatton attempted to detain her by grabbing her right arm. Laws immediately pulled away. The officer managed to push her onto a couch and secure a handcuff to her right wrist, but she continued to twist and struggle to face him.
During the ongoing struggle, the altercation moved to the floor, where Laws pinned her left arm beneath her body to prevent being fully handcuffed. Officer Hatton issued a warning that she would be tased if she did not comply. He was ultimately able to forcibly pull her arm out from underneath her and secure the second cuff without deploying the weapon.
Laws was searched, escorted downstairs to a waiting patrol vehicle, and transported to the Lawrence County Jail. At the male tenant’s request, a formal criminal trespass warning was completed and signed, and Laws was officially notified at the jail that she faces immediate arrest if she ever returns to the K Street apartment.
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.
