BEDFORD – A Bedford woman was arrested on Friday, September 13, for public intoxication and disorderly conduct after causing a disturbance in a residential area.
Shannon Rishforth, 47, a transient resident of Bedford, was taken into custody following a series of erratic behaviors reported to the Bedford Police Department. This is not Rishforth’s first arrest for her erratic behavior.
According to an affidavit from Bedford Police Officer Sarah Haluda, the incident began at approximately 8:25 p.m. when officers were dispatched to 1403 H Street in response to reports of a woman screaming in the roadway. Officer Haluda found Rishforth, who was seen standing in the street with a red solo cup in her hand.
The male caller reported that Rishforth had approached him while conducting a business transaction and began shouting at him and his customer. Despite his requests for her to leave, Rishforth persisted in her disruptive behavior, eventually screaming at the sky for several minutes before police arrived.
Officer Haluda said Rishforth smelled of alcohol and was visibly intoxicated. Rishforth claimed that she was being pursued by an individual named “Kelly” and made incoherent statements about someone taking “two black babies” into a business to harm them.
Rishforth repeatedly attempted to manipulate a preliminary breath test and was uncooperative.
After disposing of her drink, she eventually agreed to get into the officer’s patrol car and requested to be taken to the Rusty Gator.
Upon arriving at the Lawrence County Jail, Rishforth’s behavior escalated. She began screaming and banging on the cage in the rear of the patrol vehicle. An unopened 4 Loko beverage was found among her belongings. Due to her continued disruptive behavior, Rishforth was placed in a padded cell at the jail.
Rishforth’s blood alcohol content was later recorded at 0.27 percent, significantly above the legal limit. She has been charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
