A routine stop for a bottle of water turned into a dramatic police encounter when an Army Reserve soldier was briefly detained after officers questioned whether his military uniform was authentic.
According to witnesses, the incident occurred at a gas station on Oak Street when Sergeant Elijah Carter, who had just finished duty at Fort Hamilton, entered the store wearing his Army Reserve uniform. Moments later, two police vehicles arrived with lights flashing, and officers ordered everyone inside to raise their hands.
Police officers Nathan Price and Ryan Clark approached Sgt. Carter and accused him of impersonating military personnel. Despite Carter calmly stating that he was an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve and that the uniform was his, officers placed him in handcuffs and escorted him outside. Several bystanders recorded the arrest on their phones as Carter was made to kneel on the sidewalk.
Witnesses reported that Sgt. Carter remained calm throughout the encounter and requested permission to make a phone call. Instead of calling a lawyer, he contacted his commanding officer, Colonel Benjamin Foster, explaining that he was being detained under suspicion of impersonation.
Approximately seven minutes later, multiple black SUVs arrived at the scene. Several uniformed military personnel exited the vehicles, followed by Colonel Foster himself. Observers said the atmosphere shifted immediately as the colonel approached the officers.
Sources at the scene indicated that Sgt. Carter’s identity and military status were quickly confirmed. The handcuffs were removed, and Carter was released without charges.
The police department has not yet released an official statement but confirmed that the incident is under internal review. Community members and witnesses have raised concerns about the officers’ handling of the situation, particularly the decision to detain the soldier without first verifying his credentials.
Sgt. Carter did not comment publicly after the incident, but witnesses said he left the scene with his commanding officer shortly afterward.
