Man Arrested for Public Intoxication, Tells Police He'll 'Go Hood'

An Athens man was arrested and charged with public intoxication Tuesday while he was walking in the roadway on the way to Waffle House, according to an Athens-Clarke County Police report.

Tommy Pope, 57, was stopped by police at about 3 a.m. after police spotted him walking down the middle of Gressom Street. When Pope saw a police car, he stepped to the curb.

He told police that he was going to Waffle House and that he had not been walking in the road, but had been on the grass. The officer began to write him a citation when Pope began telling the officer that he didn't do drugs and that the officer could search him. He also "began yelling and using vulgar language."

Police explained that he was only receiving a citation, but if he continued to yell and cuss he would be taken to jail for public intoxication. Pope said he had not drunk anything that night, although the officer had reported noted a strong alcoholic smell coming from Pope.

When the officer asked Pope what his birthday was, he began yelling for the officer to take him to jail and said he didn't have a birthday. Pope also threatened to walk off. After the officer said he couldn't leave, Pope told cussed at him, told the officer he was scared and said "he was going to go hood." However, when the officer asked if he was threatening him, he said no.

Pope was arrested for public intoxication. He was transported to the Clarke County Jail.