Morgan Hill – A 27-year-old man was arrested early Thursday morning after confrontations with Safeway grocery store employees and police officers.
Paul C. Roth, of Morgan Hill, was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, hit and run and allegedly resisting arrest.
Morgan Hill police Sgt. David Swing said officer Jeff Brandon responded to the Safeway in Tennant Station shopping center, where Roth had allegedly been involved, with a male friend, in a verbal confrontation with a Safeway employee outside the store. When Brandon entered the store, he found Roth “staggering and unsteady on his feet,” Swing said, challenging Safeway employees to fight. He then challenged Brandon to fight, and Brandon used a control hold to take him down to the floor. MHPD Officer Kyle Christensen arrived, and Roth continued to try to fight both Brandon and Christensen, Swing said.
Once he was taken out of the store, officers tased Roth and handcuffed him, but because he continued to try to fight, he was placed in a wrap, a full-body restraint.
Once Roth was medically cleared by Saint Louise Regional Hospital, he was booked into Santa Clara County Jail.
The officers were not injured in the incident.
Roth was also charged with alleged hit and run because as he drove into the Tennant Station parking lot, he hit a “keep right” sign in the median at Monterey Road and Vineyard Boulevard.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
