New details released in arrest of man accused of threatening officer
Law enforcement officials in Alabama have released details about the arrest of Carl Roettgen, who is suspected of pointing a gun at a Mid-Missouri police officer.
Carl Roettgen was arrested in Gulf Shores, Alabama on Wednesday. Police there got information about two wanted fugitives in the area, and found them at a campsite in Gulf State Park. Roettgen, 31, and another person, Amber Friend, were taken into custody without incident. Roettgen, who is from Marshall, Missouri, and Friend, who is from Warsaw, Missouri, were arrested on numerous warrants for attempted murder of a police officer.
Friend, 38, has also been charged with hindering prosecution.
Last week police said they tried to contact Roettgen in the Walmart parking lot because he is wanted for a felony parole violation.
Roettgen was released from prison December 2014 on parole. Last month, a warrant was issued for his arrest and extradition for violating parole.
Roettgen then apparently put his car into gear, trying to get away. One of the officers managed to get into his car and tried to stop the car by removing the keys from the ignition.
Police say Roettgen then pulled out a gun and held it to the officer’s head. He pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire.
The officer then got out of his car and returned fire, shooting one round into the car.
“There’s officer safety issues, if they felt he was trying to run over them we are at Walmart it’s a public entity, there’s people out,” Sgt. Roger Gibson with the Marshall Police Department said. “If he’s going to be aggressive like that, that officer’s mindset is to neutralize the threat if it’s there. He’s going to try to stop him from harming himself or others at that point in time.”
After the incident Roettgen drove away on U.S. Highway 65. ABC 17 News is still working to get more details about how he was caught.
Roettgen has pleaded guilty to multiple charges. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to burglary. In 2006, he faced charges of domestic assault. The next year, he pleaded guilty to drug charges. And in 2013, he was charged with vehicle tampering and assault.
