Tennessee Repo Goes South
Boubacar Diomande
A Wisconsin man is facing charges after an altercation during a vehicle repossession in Alcoa on Thursday, September 25
According to an Alcoa Police Department report, Boubacar Diomande, 41, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been charged with carjacking, vandalism, assault, and drug-related offenses.
Around 11:25 a.m., an Alcoa police officer responded to the Walmart on Hunters Crossing Drive following a disturbance call. The officer spoke with a driver for a recovery and towing company, who stated he had located a white Mercedes van that was subject to repossession.
While the vehicle was being loaded, Diomande allegedly exited the back of the van, entered the driver’s seat, and attempted to drive it off the tow truck. The attempt caused the van to slide backwards, striking the tow truck and resulting in about $2,500 in damages, according to the report.
The recovery agent told officers that Diomande then confronted him, attempted to open the tow truck’s doors, and struck him several times. The agent claimed he was forced into the passenger seat while Diomande attempted to shift the tow truck into drive. Deputies with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly thereafter and detained Diomande until Alcoa police arrived.
A witness reported seeing the altercation, called 911, and flagged down deputies who responded.
During a search of the van, police reported finding a glass pipe and approximately 7.4 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. The van was ultimately taken by the recovery company.
Diomande remains in custody at the Blount County Jail on an $18,000 bond.
While the criminal charges focus on Diomande’s alleged actions, the incident also raises a legal question: when law enforcement becomes directly involved in a recovery, does the continuation of the repossession cross the line into a “breach of the peace”?
