A 69-year-old man was arrested in Chattooga County after deputies were called to investigate a report of someone tampering with a utility box along Mississippi Avenue.
When a deputy arrived, the report states that Wendell Lee Eleam was sitting near the roadway and appeared to be holding a black object.
Eleam reportedly told the deputy that he had received a phone call claiming he had been out of business for 18 years. He allegedly said he had removed a portion of a cable or internet box located near the roadway and told the deputy that he lived in the area.
While the deputy was talking with Eleam, the 69-year-old reportedly began walking away. The deputy instructed him to stop and told him he was not free to leave because of the reported damage to the utility equipment.
According to the incident report, Eleam became confrontational when the deputy attempted to detain him. The deputy reported using a Taser twice after Eleam allegedly failed to comply with commands to get on the ground. Both deployments were reportedly ineffective.
Eleam eventually went down on one knee and remained at Taser point until a second deputy arrived. Deputies then placed him under arrest.
The person who reported the incident told deputies that she had witnessed Eleam remove a knife and take something from the utility box.
Deputies reportedly observed several wires hanging loose from the box and found an electrical component that appeared to have been removed. A knife was also reportedly found on Eleam when he was taken into custody.
Eleam was charged with criminal trespass and misdemeanor obstruction of an officer.
