Police were called to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 200 block of Harmison Lane on Monday, March 13 at about 9:30 p.m., resulting in the arrest of a North Carolina man on multiple charges.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court by Trooper B.A. Meyers with the West Virginia State Police, the resident said he wanted his son, identified as Michael W. Bull, 49, of Burlington, N.C., to leave after he threatened to fight him, alluding to some physical contact, but did not want to pursue criminal charges.
The junior Bull admitted to police he had consumed alcohol and was unable to drive, with no other family or friends in the area.
Police made several fruitless attempts to contact the local homeless coalition for lodging. They found the men’s shelter in Martinsburg had availability, but would not accept Bull’s service dog, from which he refused to separate.
After contacting more shelters in Winchester and Hagerstown, police located a housing shelter for veterans in Hagerstown that would accept the service dog.
Bull declined the offer, saying he would rent a hotel room using his credit card, according to the criminal complaint.
Trooper Meyers then gave Bull a ride to the SureStay Hotel on Valley Road, advising Bull he was considered trespassing at his father’s residence, and was too intoxicated to be in public.
Once at the hotel, Bull stated he didn’t have the money for a room and became uncooperative with the hotel staff.
Bull was then placed under arrest for public intoxication, having a blood alcohol level of .27%, according to a preliminary breath test taken at the scene. He continued to yell and resist arrest, requiring three officers to get him into the cruiser.
On route to Eastern Regional Jail, Bull continued to bang on the cage and the car, purposefully smearing excrement into the seat.
Bull was charged with obstruction, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and destruction of property. He was incarcerated at Eastern Regional Jail awaiting a hearing on Monday, March 27. No updates were available on the whereabouts of his dog.
