Rodney Reese
Rodney Reese is a teenager who reportedly spent a night in jail after he was arrested for being in the street while walking home from work in icy conditions during last week’s winter weather. Plano’s police chief said he’s dropping the charge against Reese because it doesn’t fit what officers were called to investigate.
The teen was stopped by Plano PD officers while walking home from work at Walmart during the winter weather on Tuesday, February 16.
How old is Rodney Reese?
Rodney Reese is 18 years old.
Rodney Reese Plano
Police said someone called, concerned, that a Black male wearing a short-sleeve shirt was stumbling along with the icy conditions. It was dispatched to officers as a welfare check. Reese lives with his mom just a few blocks away, right down the street from where he works.
He repeatedly told officers he was fine.
“I’m on the way home. I’m straight,” Reese said in the bodycam footage released by police.
“Alright, but you’re walking in the middle of the road,” an officer said.
“I understand that. My bad,” Reese replied.
But officers continued to follow him for two minutes and 17 seconds before handcuffs were placed around his wrists. Reese was arrested for walking in the street. The official charge was pedestrian in the roadway. The high school student spent the night in jail.
Rodney Reese Video
An 18-year old black man — Rodney Reese — was walking home from work at @Walmart during #TexasFreeze when @PlanoPoliceDept officers charged him with “Pedestrian in the Roadway”, Tuesday. He spent the night in jail. I’m speaking with him — and the Chief of Police, tonight. @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/g6f02okXM1
— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) February 21, 2021
“They just treated me like I was a criminal or something,” Reese said in an interview with FOX 4.
He said he was walking along the street because the area off to the side of it was covered in ice and snow.
Reese said he kept walking away because he didn’t need help.
“Just a simple encounter. A simple encounter. That’s why I tried to dodge it, so I could make it home, I don’t know,” he explained.
Rodney Reese Arrested
Still, he said the arrest wasn’t consistent with the reason officers went out there, which was for a welfare check. So he’s dropping the charge against Reese.
“They should’ve taken him home, is where he should’ve gone,” Drain added.
The police department will determine whether an internal investigation is warranted.
As for Reese, he believes his race was the only reason he was arrested.
Rodney Reese Facebook
“Just ‘cause I’m Black, that’s it. It’s ‘cause I’m Black, I fit a description. It hurts, man,” he said. “I don’t even think the call would’ve happened [if I wasn’t Black]. Honestly, I really don’t.” Plano police said Reese resisted the arrest, but didn’t file that charge.
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