FROM CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
On February 15, 2022, at approximately 10:19 AM, Millbrook police responded to the 3800 block of Gober Road with regard to a civil disturbance at a residence. Upon officers’ arrival a female was detained. Responding officers were advised that a second suspect had barricaded himself in a bedroom inside the residence and that he was armed with a shotgun. A perimeter was established around the residence, as officers attempted to make contact with the individual inside.
Officers later observed a male subject, later identified as Edward Eugene Roth, a 32-year-old Millbrook resident, attempting to crawl from underneath the residence. Roth was detained without incident. The residence was cleared by law enforcement, who did locate a shotgun inside the bedroom where the individual was alleged to have been barricaded.
Once the scene was secured, the complainant advised that her son, Roth, allegedly snuck the female, identified as Ana Marie Brooks, a 25-year-old Deatsville resident, into the residence during the night. Brooks had previously been trespassed from the residence by the complainant and was not allowed in the residence.
When the complainant advised her son to have Brooks leave the residence, Roth allegedly became violent, threatening to do physical harm to his mother, at which time the complainant contacted law enforcement for assistance.
The complainant expressed a desire to pursue charges against both individuals. Roth was placed under arrest, being charged with Domestic Violence 3rd Degree. Brooks was placed under arrest, being charged with Criminal Trespass 1st Degree. Both were transported to the Millbrook Police Department for processing and later transported to the Elmore County Jail, with Roth having a $1,000 bond and Brooks under a $500 bond.
These type of situations are some of the most dangerous calls in which law enforcement officers respond. A civil or domestic disturbance can turn violent in seconds. In this case one of the alleged offenders had threatened physical harm, to include the use of a firearm.
As officers approached the residence, the individual barricaded himself in a bedroom and armed himself with a shotgun. Fortunately, our officers were able to quickly respond, establishing a perimeter around the residence and secured the area.
Apparently the offender decided to abandon the firearm and attempted to exit, undetected, from underneath the residence. Our officers were able to quickly take him into custody without incident or injury. There’s no doubt that this situation could have ended much differently had our officers not responded as quickly and decisively. Anytime we can take someone into custody without them or any officer being injured, we’ve had a good day. Our officers did an outstanding job in this case and I’m extremely proud to work alongside them each day protecting our citizens.
