MAN HITS OFFICER WITH BIBLE
Man refuses to go quietly, says he's God

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- What started out as a disturbance call for Lincolnton Police officer Dwayne McAlister ended with an arrest of a 40-year-old male after he assaulted McAlister.

The officer responded to 103 Mallory Tai Drive around 2 p.m. Monday and heard the man -- identified as William Edward Roach -- yelling from upstairs.

Armed with a Bible, the man came downstairs and used abusive and vulgar language, ordering McAlister out of the residence.

McAlister said he tried to talk to the man to calm him down, but to no avail.

Roach then charged McAlister, hitting the officer in the chest with the Bible.

"I told him to put his hands behind his head," said McAlister, adding the suspect wouldn't listen.

It took Officer McAlister and fellow officer Lt. Tony Hallman to handcuff Roach.

According to McAlister's report, Roach wasn't cooperative when it came to getting into the cruiser, either; it took both officers to literally carry the man to the squad car because Roach refused to walk.

Roach was charged with assaulting a government official. He was taken to the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $1,500 secured bond with a court date of February 3, 2009.

While in jail, sources said the man was telling jailers that "I am God."

Roach bonded out of jail after 9 a.m. Wednesday.

It's not the first time Roach has encountered authorities.

Two weeks ago, Lincoln EMS responded to the Roach residence and took the man to Gaston Memorial Hospital for a mental evaulation.

Sources said the man had to literally be strapped down to the gurney and sedated.

After being examined by doctors in Gastonia, Roach was sent home and declared not to have any kind of mental problems.