By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A woman was taken to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center (MGRMC) for treatment of psychological issues Thursday after she continued to harm herself while being arrested for theft.
Temetria Diann Young, 23, formerly of Pima and Clifton, was arrested on charges of theft and false reporting to a police officer after she allegedly stole a speaker from an individual and lied to an officer about it and her identity.
Officers were initially dispatched to 1024 W. Main St. at about 2:41 p.m. regarding a theft. The victim said she had just purchased a speaker from the Thrift Store on Main Street and identified Young as having taken it from her.
Young allegedly told officers her last name was Begay and said she had purchased the speaker from the store. A quick check with the clerk verified the victim was the one who purchased the item and Young was placed under arrest for theft. Young was then given a “pat down” search and was placed in the back of the officer’s patrol vehicle.
While the officer was filling out a victim’s form, a detective noticed Young had a small steak knife with her in the rear of the patrol vehicle and was cutting her face and neck and notified the officer.
The officer drew his TASER, according to his report, and demanded Young drop the knife. After doing so, she was transported to MGRMC, where she was treated for superficial wounds and medically cleared to be booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility.
On the way to the jail, however, Young banged her head on the patrol car window. The officer placed a hobble restraint on Young and a padded blanket near the window to stop her from hurting herself. When the officer arrived at the jail, he noticed Young had somehow wrapped the seatbelt around her neck and was choking herself.
Young was then taken out of the patrol vehicle and placed into a restraint chair at the jail. However, the jail would not accept her in her condition.
An ambulance was then called and Young was transported back to MGRMC while strapped to a gurney. Prior to being taken to the hospital, a female officer did a more thorough search and noticed Young was wearing two pairs of undergarments and two pairs of pants, but no other weapons or contraband were located. The report states she was then treated at the hospital for psychological issues.
The officer’s report was forwarded to the Safford City Attorney for review and charging.
