Background: An individual, believed to be Rorie Susan Woods, is shown being detained by law enforcement officers while wearing a beekeeper outfit (Photo: Hampden County Sheriff’s Office). Inset: A photo of Rorie Susan Woods (Hampden County Sheriff’s Office).
A woman has been taken into custody after allegedly unleashing beehives on both law enforcement officers and nearby residents. This arrest transpired nearly 800 miles from the incident’s location.
Rorie Susan Woods, aged 57, faces charges including four counts of assault and battery using a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of disorderly conduct, as confirmed by the Sheriff’s Office in Hampden County, Massachusetts, announced.
On the morning of October 12, 2022, Woods, also known as Rebecca Woods, reportedly drove an SUV loaded with beehives to a residence on Memery Lane in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, as deputies reported. Her actions were prompted by an ongoing eviction at that address, which was said to have been her source of anger, authorities indicated.
Woods allegedly removed and “smashed” the lids of artificial beehives, even toppling one from the trailer, which resulted in the bees becoming highly aggressive. These bees then “swarmed and stung deputies and bystanders,” according to the sheriff’s office, with some persons being allergic, and one sheriff’s office employee requiring hospital treatment.
Upon being informed by an officer that he and others were allergic to bees, Woods is said to have responded, “Oh, you’re allergic? Good,” as was reported by MassLive at the time.
The suspect even donned a beekeeper suit and “carried another hive toward the home before being taken into custody,” deputies said. Photos from the arrest show the suspect in a beekeeper jacket with a face covering, and a blue SUV with a trailer attached holding stacked boxes.
Though Woods was arrested, she was released before her trial began, and after several delays, the trial was scheduled to begin on Aug. 5. However, Woods, who is representing herself and reportedly pleaded not guilty, didn’t show up.
“A judge issued a non-bailable warrant for the failure to appear, and law enforcement began looking for Woods,” the law enforcement agency said. She was later arrested at a hotel in Kingsport, Tennessee, on Thursday.
The eviction to which Woods allegedly took issue was “stop-and-go for the better part of two years,” authorities said following the fall 2022 attack. Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said they prepare for protests over evictions, but “a majority” of the protesters understand that they are just doing their jobs “in accordance with state law.”
“But this woman, who traveled here, put lives in danger as several of the staff on scene are allergic to bees,” he added. “We had one staff member go to the hospital and luckily, he was alright or she would 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.”
After being arraigned in Tennessee, Woods will be extradited back to Massachusetts to stand trial.
