GALVESTON, Texas – An Oregon woman who was caught on video camera video last week refusing to wear a mask at a Texas bank has been arrested after refusing to put a mask in a to carry other Texas business.
Grants Pass’s Terry Wright, 65, has already had a warrant for her arrest after refusing to wear a mask at a Bank of America branch in Galveston, Texas last Thursday. In the video, she taunts the officer and asks if he is going to arrest her.
Police arrested Wright on Wednesday after she entered the Office Depot in Texas City and said she would not cover her nose and mouth to protect the spread of the coronavirus, police spokesman Cpl. Allen Bjerke said. She was arrested on Galveston warrants for violating and resisting arrest, Bjerke said.
Wright was arrested without incident, Bjerke added, noting that she is not charged with trespassing at the office supply store and that no additional charges are expected.
Government Greg Abbott last week lifted nationwide orders requiring people to wear face masks in public in Texas, stating that businesses must decide for themselves what COVID-19 precautions to take on their properties. Many businesses have kept their own mask rules in place.
In the video he sees everywhere of Wright’s confrontation with the officer at Galveston Bank, Wright stands in the foyer of the bank, surrounded by other customers, all of whom were wearing masks.
The officer asks her to go outside or put on a mask. She refuses.
“What are you going to do, arrest me?” she asked.
He replied, “Yes, because you are intruding on the premises.”
“It’s hilarious,” she replied.
While the officer takes out handcuffs, she pulls away and starts walking towards the door. The officer stops her and forces her on the ground to handcuff her.
Police said Wright’s mortgage was set at $ 3,000 on the charge of misconduct. She was detained at Galveston County Jail Wednesday afternoon.
– The Associated Press