A Memphis man has been charged with multiple offenses after an altercation with law enforcement that involved ramming a police vehicle multiple times, local authorities reported. According to Action News 5, Montavious Neal, 26, is facing charges of aggravated assault on a first responder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and violations for excessively tinted car windows.
The incident, which occurred on Monday just before 11:40 AM, began when a deputized officer from the Memphis Police Department, serving on the Memphis Safe Task Force, attempted a traffic stop on Neal's 2015 Dodge Charger due to its highly tinted windows. WREG reported that the officer's marked squad car was rammed three times during a confrontation in the parking lot of Emilio’s Grocery at 2757 Getwell Road.
The sequence of events was further detailed by FOX13 Memphis, explaining that after Neal pulled into the parking spot, he then reversed into the police car, attempted to flee, and, upon being unable to escape, rammed the officer's vehicle again. A subsequent action by the officer pinned Neal's car against a concrete pole to prevent any further attempted flight.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered two handguns, both loaded with rounds in their chambers. Neal told authorities that he "did not know anything about the handguns found in the vehicle." Notwithstanding his claims, the charges against Neal were lodged due to the weapons found and the assault on the police officer during the attempted apprehension. The passenger in Neal's vehicle was released without charges after the incident, resulting in no significant injury to officers or notable damage to the squad car, as per Action News 5.
Neal's track record was mentioned in the affidavit, emphasizing his status as a convicted felon in Shelby County, further complicating his legal challenges. As the case develops, Neal remains in custody, facing serious accusations as a result of the harrowing parking lot encounter.
