A woman released a swarm of bees on officers trying to serve an eviction notice, a police report says.
On October 12 deputies had arrived at the $1.5m (£1.3m) home to serve eviction papers on Alton King Jr but were met with protesters, court documents say.
Officers secured the premises and waited for the home owner to return who was reportedly at court trying to delay the eviction.
While they waited a SUV towing a trailer filled with bee hives pulled up and the suspect emerged.
The police report of the bizarre incident in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, in the US, read: “At that time a female later identified as Rorie Susan Woods exited her vehicle and went to the back of the trailer and started shaking bee hives to let the bees out."
It continued: “Deputy Michael Joslyn attempted to stop Woods who successfully freed one of the hives by breaking the cover ... causing hundreds of bees to swarm around. Deputy Joslyn was stung in the face and had to retreat.”
Woods, 55, then put on a beekeeper's suit and kept releasing more and more angry bees the report stated. She then rolled three more hives off the trailer, reports PennLive.
The report read: “Officers at this time attempted to stop Woods but were attacked by the bees."
As the officers tried to get control of the situation, many of them were stung including three who are allergic to bee stings. Woods resisted but was eventually arrested.
Some of the officials present had to flee into the house to escape the swarm.
As she was lead off officers told her some of them were allergic to bees to which Woods’ alleged response was: “Oh, you’re allergic? Good.”
Woods pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (in this case the bees) and disorderly conduct.
In 2021 Woods wrote a comment piece for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where she claimed to be a veteran beekeeper.
A spokesman for Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi said: “We are always prepared for protests when it comes to evictions, but a majority of the groups who protest understand that we are just doing our statutory duty in accordance with state law.
“And they appreciate how we go above and beyond to help the people being evicted with anything they need from food and temporary shelter, to long-term housing, employment, and mental health and substance use disorder treatment.”
According to Cocchi homeowner King owed $1.2m on the $1.5m home.
He also slammed Woods' alleged attack on the officers.
He said: “This woman, who traveled here, put lives in danger as several of the staff on scene are allergic to bees.
"We had one staff member go the hospital, and, luckily, he was all right or she could be facing manslaughter charges.
"I support people’s right to protest peacefully, but when you cross the line and put my staff and the public in danger, I promise you will be arrested.”
