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GARDNER — On Saturday, June 4 at approximately 4:34 p.m., Officer Alexa Morgan, Sergeant Matthew Arsenault and Officer John Braun of the Gardner Police Department were dispatched to 64 Hemlock Drive in Old English Village for a report of a man attempting to kick in an apartment door.
According to the Personnel Narrative for Officer Morgan, when she and Officer Braun arrived on scene, they found the man, 18-year-old Markis Reynolds, in the parking lot.
“Markis was clearly agitated as he was yelling that he was going to hit his sister, ‘f$*k her up’ and slap her,” wrote Officer Morgan in her Personnel Narrative for the incident. “His sister […] was outside of the apartment building waiting to speak with officers. Markis told Officer Braun to get out of his way and attempted to get passed him in the direction of [his sister] while continuing to yell. Markis was placed in handcuffs [double locked] to prevent any further incident.”
Reynolds’ sister told police that Reynolds lives with their mother and a juvenile female friend. That evening, Reynolds had gone out to dinner with his sister, mother and friend to celebrate his graduation from Gardner High School.
According to the Personnel Narrative of Officer Morgan, when they returned to Old English Village after dinner, Reynolds’ sister invited his friend over to her apartment to get ready before going back out, which angered Reynolds.
“According to his sister…Markis was upset about this and was yelling at everyone because [the girl he lives with] is his friend and not theirs,” wrote Officer Morgan.
Reynolds responded by calling the girl’s cell phone, “threatening to punch her in the throat and kill her.” He then went over to his sister’s apartment and began banging on the front door, attempting to kick it in with his feet.
According to Officer Morgan, Reynolds’ sister had the girl hide in the bathroom because she believed he was trying to break in and attack her.
Although Reynolds did break the “locking mechanism” in the door, opening it, his sister overpowered him by pushing the door in the opposite direction, preventing him from coming in, Officer Reynolds said.
While holding the door, Reynolds’ sister called the police.
“[The sister] told him that she was on the phone with the police which prompted him to leave,” wrote Officer Morgan. Later adding, “Dispatch could hear the banging and shouting on the recorded 911 call.”
After police arrived, the juvenile girl who had been living with Reynolds’, told Officer Morgan she feared Reynolds and thus didn’t want to live with or be around him anymore. Officer Morgan told her to come to the station to request a restraining order, which she agreed to do.
Officer Morgan said that Reynolds was then informed that he was charged with Domestic Assault and Vandalizing Property for destroying his sister’s front door and lock, valued at $250.
He was then transported to the Gardner Police Department.
“He was transported to the station for booking by Sgt. Arsenault. During booking, Markis complained that his right pinky was swollen from him banging on the door,” wrote Officer Morgan in her Personnel Narrative. “He requested an ice pack and was placed in cell #4 without further incident. [His sister] came into the station with prescription medication and stated that he has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and she believes he did not take his medication today. His medication was placed with property.”
Officer Morgan said that she spoke with Reynolds’ mother, sister and friend in the lobby of the police station about getting a restraining order, which they declined.
Officer Morgan said that Gardner police filed a 51-A report. According to machildrensalliance.org, a 51-A is a report filed with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families for any case of suspected or alleged abuse of a child.
Reynolds was arraigned in Gardner District Court on June 6. He was released on his own personal recognizance.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on August 10 for a pretrial hearing.
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