Suspect claims to be Braswell PD officer amid threats to pair also facing impersonation charge

Polk County Police charged a man in Rockmart this past Wednesday following an incident where he was alleged to have threatened to shoot a pair after an argument, then took the altercation to Smart Mart on Goodyear Avenue where he was charged for disorderly conduct.

Benjamin Scott Fennell, 31, of a Rockmart address, was jailed by Polk County Police on Wednesday, November 27, on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after he became “irate” following an argument where he threatened to shoot a man and a woman who wanted to know what happened to a purse and a wallet after staying with Fennell the previous night.

Per the report, the victims told police that an argument began over the whereabouts of the purse and wallet, and when Fennell became so angry they couldn’t speak to him, they decided to leave. Fennell was then accused of having “remove a firearm from his (waist band) and screaming at them.”

Fennell followed the pair to the Smart Mart on Goodyear Avenue and was “screaming at (the victim) and striking his vehicle” and then went home.

All of this happened to be seen by Assistant Fire Chief Chad King, who saw Fennell hitting the vehicle and cursing at the victim at the gas station before leaving again.

Officers confronted Fennell at his home, who told a different story, and then became “irate” and refused to listen to police when they tried to take him into custody peacefully. Fennell was “escorted” to the ground and cuffed before he was taken to jail, shouting that he worked for the Braswell Police Department during his arrest.

Neighbor’s camera footage of the incident came in handy as additional evidence as Fennell shouted at the victims in the footage and was seen pointing the gun while also claiming he had the ability to arrest the victim because he was a “police officer.”

Fennell was charged with one count of felony aggravated assault, and faces additional misdemeanor charges including six counts of obstructing law enforcement officers, disorderly conduct, impersonating a police officer and criminal trespass.

He was later released on a $19,000 bond after four days in jail.