On Wednesday Dec. 2, Alexander Harrelson, 28, was arrested for violating his probation on “disorderly conduct with menacing,” from his previous arrest on Sept. 1.
Harrelson made headlines in early September for being the subject of a downtown business’ surveillance video, in which he held his hands above his head before being beaten by Cottage Grove police officers. In the incident on Sept. 1, he lost two teeth and left the scene with a bloodied face. Prior to his arrest, Harrelson was seen swinging a sword outside The Bookmine. Sentencing documents obtained through a public records request show on Sept. 15, Harrelson pleaded guilty to three charges, including: resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and assault.
At the time of his arrest for probation violation, Harrelson was sleeping in his tent in the “overflow” unhoused shelter site behind the DariMart on Main Street in Cottage Grove. The arrest wasn’t violent, but witnesses say Harrelson was “freaked out,” “overwhelmed” and “confused.”
Family members say Harrelson was once again twirling a sword when the probation violation was reported to the Cottage Grove Police Department.
Harrelson will be held in the Cottage Grove Municipal jail until his court hearing, scheduled for Jan. 19, 2023.
