David Eugene Graham
David Eugene Graham, 72, was arrested after following a Harrison couple to their home and threatening them Tuesday evening, police said.
James and Amy Tillman told sheriff’s deputies that they were traveling to their house on Stoney River Drive when they came up behind a Mercedes driving slowly and periodically stopping. They said the car turned into their neighborhood and pulled over to the side of the road, so they passed it.
Mr. and Mrs. Tillman told police that once they went by, however, the Mercedes began following them. They said the car pulled up to their house when they backed into their driveway, and the man in the driver’s seat began yelling at them, stating, “I’m going to beat the p--- out of you!”
After continuing to threaten them, they said the man drove off, then returned on foot, pacing the sidewalk in front of their house. When Mrs. Tillman said she told the suspect she would call the police, he told her to call whoever she wanted and then left the area.
The couple called 911, saying they were fearful that he would return and harm them. They told police they had not realized this kind of thing could happen in a nice neighborhood out in the country.
Deputies said they used the car’s plate number to locate the defendant, Graham, at an address nearby. They said when they arrived at his house, he was very angry, stating that the Tillmans had been tailgating him and not dimming their brights.
When deputies asked Graham to be peaceable with his neighbors, they said he became verbally combative, claiming that he was the builder of the neighborhood and could go anywhere he wanted.
Eventually, they said he began to challenge and berate police, saying they had made a mistake to come to his door and confront him. Graham also told deputies that he knew the sheriff.
When they asked him to step outside, they said he attempted to slam the door in their faces, so they grabbed him and moved him out onto the porch, putting him under arrest. Deputies said he appeared to be intoxicated.
Graham has been charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest or obstruction of legal process, and two counts of assault.