Niagara Falls Man Arrested After Hostile Encounter During Traffic Stop

Niagara Falls Police were on routine patrol around 10:30am on August 14th when they observed a vehicle pass by going northbound on 19th Street from Niagara Street. Officers checked the status of the vehicle which showed the vehicle’s registration to be suspected due to an insurance lapse (suspended as of 8/11/2025). Officers activated lights and sirens in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Clarence Johnson, immediately pulled over on the 600 block of 19th Street and got out of the vehicle. Johnson was attempting to walk away from the vehicle at which time officers gave him multiple commands that he was being detained for a traffic stop and requested he get back into the vehicle.

Johnson immediately became hostile towards officers as he started yelling and screaming, causing public annoyance and alarm.

Johnson’s hostile and belligerent conduct continued. He did, however, walk back to the vehicle. Officers advised him of the vehicle’s registration status being suspended, at which point he opened the driver-side door screaming, “how?!”

Johnson then sat back into the driver’s seat at the time an officer had his right hand on the door as well. Johnson did slam the door closed while the officer’s hand was on the door, causing the officer to briefly lung towards the vehicle and almost have the hand slammed in the door.

The officer immediately opened the door back up and advised Johnson he was under arrest. He was then taken into custody.

Officers noted in the police report that Johnson made threats towards officers, did not comply with any verbal commands, refused to get back into the vehicle he was operating, refused to identify himself or hand over his license, refused to stop screaming and yelling, and closed the driver-side door on an officer’s hand, which almost caused injury to the officer.

Johnson was placed in the rear of a patrol unit and transported to police headquarters for booking and processing. His hostile behavior continued during this process as well.

Niagara Falls Man Arrested After Hostile Encounter During Traffic Stop