UPDATE: Here’s Updyke’s latest mugshot.
The Bama in Harvey Updyke is spreading westward.
The confessed Toomer’s Oaks tree poisoner and meanest person in the world was apparently arrested in Hammond, La (where he reportedly has family) last week after causing a scene while trying to return a $110 lawnmower to a Lowe’s.
The problem? Harvey thought it was worth $150. The charges? Terrorizing, obviously.
When the arresting officer arrived, he advised Updyke to call an attorney. Updyke refused and said “he would take care of this on his own.”
“He had a sad story,” said Hammond Police spokesman Lt. Vincent Giannobile. “He said he was going to prison anyway, he had a bad heart, and he didn’t care. He kept insinuating that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”
Updyke said he would “come back and take care of everyone,” after the officer on scene told him he was not allowed back on the property. According to the report, he continued to tell the officer he would return to the store and “it would be his last time.”
Giannobile said the officer felt Updyke’s statements and attitude were threatening, and arrested him.
According to the Hammond Star, Updyke was released from jail the next day on a surety bond.
Oh, and Texas, where Harvey once worked as a state trooper (here’s his photo), also has a warrant out for his arrest. The charge? Terrorizing, obviously. Seriously.
Updyke is scheduled to stand trial in Opelika–again–October 1.
Related: Harvey Updyke ‘meaner than anyone in the world.’
More on the the Toomer’s Oaks: Wire system being considered as temporary solution for rolling Toomer’s / Toomer’s Corner rollings didn’t start with Punt, Bama, Punt, says History / Did Auburn students celebrate Bear Bryant’s death by rolling Toomer’s Corner
…
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Did he try to teabag the police officer? Typical bammer!!!
This is a very sick man. I think we are fortunate that he only destroyed trees and not human lives. If he is not incarcerated soon we may find out how evil he is.
Harvey, this man is a typical classic Alabama fan…..he doesn’t take no for an answer, and if he had a chance, he would Teabag you in a Texas second…
and the mere fact, “he would come back and take care of everything”, he’s not all there, but that could be said of many Bamers….living in la la land…
You guys keep slamming Bama fans. Did you forget that many of us rallied around you when this idiot poisoned the oaks? We offered our sympathy, our prayers, and even our help. Wow….how quickly you forget. Yet you slam us and compair us to this moron. You people need to take a long look at your actions before you judge others.
Paul,
Please explain what “actions” you are referring to. Most of us took a “long look” at pictures of bammers posing with harvey updyke in tuscaloosa and New Orleans over the past year and decided that although he definitely does not represent every alabama fan on the planet, he certainly represents a part of your fan base. Sorry, but cutting a check isn’t going to change that.
This guy has some really serious mental problems! Does anyone else wonder what he did before he gained his fifteen minutes of fame for poisoning the oaks? Good grief, he is a nut job from the word go! Lock him up and throw away the key. Preferably in the cell with a 500 pound Bubba who bleeds Orange and Blue! War Eagle, y’all!
Money? How much money did us AUBURN fans send your way when the tornado hit??? AFTER we ALL knew what your bammer idol did to our beloved, historic trees. The answer? MUCH, MUCH MORE. I’m not saying he represents ALL bammer fans either, but he certainly represents the bulk of you as well as your coaches, staff and team. IF bammer fans would ever humble themselves and accept wins and defeats with honor, grace, dignity and class the rest of the world may just have an ounce of respect for you all. BUT, I sincerely doubt we will EVER see ANYTHING even remotely classy affiliated with that wretched school. I say hang updyke while the branches are still strong enough to hold his fat, ugly body.
I can’t believe anybody would compare this severely mentally impaired man to ANY fan base. I can only imagine those that do so have, at the very least, mild mental issues of their own. This man is obviously crazy; and as an Alabama Alum I haven’t seen anybody posing with him or even making any statements supporting him. I know I donated to a group that raised over $35,000 dollars to help save the trees and show Alabama support. Would you embarrass yourself by saying John Lindh is a representative of Americans? Well quit embarrassing yourself doing a less extreme of the same comparison.
Carl, FYI: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/01/2012_bcs_championship_harvey_u.html
Bammers need to leave poor Louisiana alone
We Alabama fans are nothing like this idiot! He is just trying to make all of us look bad! We all supported Auburn during the poisoning of the trees at Toomers Corners! This idiot is completely unstable and in my book is not a Bama fan, cause no matter how much he claims to be. We as Bama fans would not do something to hurt or do something that mean to another team no matter how big a fan or how much we do not like another team!
Carl… seriously? “Mentally Impaired”? Well, yes, but not due to mental disease, defect or disability. He’s simply an alabama fan which is just poor judgement. I’m glad you’re an alabama alum. You represent about 6% of bammers who actually know where tuscaloosa is. I am an Auburn Alum and I’m well within what could be viewed as a ‘proper mindset’. I’ve seen year after year and bammer fan after bammer fan doing absolutely abhorrent, ridiculous, disgusting things to ALL other teams. Not just Auburn. Do we REALLY have to dig up the teabagging video??? What’s even worse than that actually happening and ALL the bammers standing around cheering the alpha idiot on was the fact that so many other bammer fans considered doing the same thing. Multiple bammers were unzipping their pants and groping themselves. Your whole lot is an unappealing, inbred, mentally deficient (NOT defective… well probably not defective save the inbred folks), classless and arrogant bunch. There are a few of you who WOULD serve as bama’s ‘saving grace’, but I’m afraid you are FAR too few and WAY too far between. John Lindh is ONE man out of some 300 million. Your updyke directly represents, bare minimum, 65% of your fan base. And that’s with me extending you my good Auburn decency. War Damn Eagle updyke. ROT.
So far we have 2 bama fans saying they would never and 2 bama fans and a player who have (mcelroy flicking off the Auburn section just before we stomped him out of the game and won 28-27 WDE)… my 65% is pretty close IF I don’t bring up any other unfortunate acts of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Believe it, Carl, because he represents a really crazy part of your fan base. I’m not going to argue about percentages because it would be impossible to prove one way or the other. However, there is a group of the alabama fan base that might not have done what harvey did, but they certainly have gotten a kick out of it.
In case you missed it above: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/01/2012_bcs_championship_harvey_u.html
You can get mad at Auburn fans all you want. I think your anger should be directed towards the numerous alabama fans that have posed for pics with harvey over the past year and adopted roll damn tide as their new battle cry.
Please don’t take this as me lashing out at the entire alabama fan base. Some of my best friends in the world are Alabama grads and I’ve heard from plenty of them that think what the man did was disgusting. People that don’t understand the anger over what harvey did don’t understand what it means to love a place/school. Actually harvey himself falls into that category.
Sorry for the rant but I have a three year old and we drive by those trees at least three times a week. Every time she says, “Daddy, why aren’t their any leaves on the trees?” The longer that clown skates on those charges, the more angry I get that there are people that think what he did to “just some trees” was so funny.
Coming from another state where the world does not revolve around two teams, I see that there are issues, individuals, and levels of stupidity on all sides. Both schools have their delinquent followers right along with their hard core fans. Both have individuals and groups that step up and help when a need arises. ALL schools have people who name call, bash, and slam the other at the first given opportunity. Wake up, look around, and realize that the world doesn’t revolve around or care about your two cents. Just see that this is a crazed individual who needs taken off the street. Sooner, rather than later, would be best.
Our embassies are being burned around the world. Can’t we just all get along? Better yet, can’t we just drape old Harvey in an American Flag and send him into the streets of Libya and save the taxpayers a lot of money? No he doesn’t even deserve to touch an American Flag!
Neutral,
This is an Auburn site where Auburn people read and discuss Auburn stuff. Nobody thinks we are discussing the crisis in the Middle East here. We just love Auburn University and Auburn, AL. If somebody poisons two very old trees that mark the center of town as an attack on us we are likely to be quite upset about it. If people pose for pictures with this individual we are probably going to be quite upset at them too.
I know John, there is not a bigger Auburn fan than myself, I have loved those trees for over 25 years. What I’m saying is this is not a pissing contest between Alabama and Auburn. This is about a pathetic disgusting man who doesn’t deserve to be part of the rival between the Tigers and the Tide!
John Wood,
I never did mention the Middle East. However, I might agree with Tracy as to what to do with this man. I fully understand that people have great love for their school of choice. As do I, but just never did mention any certain one. I just do not generalize all fans in connection with their extreme individuals. I do know that there are true genuine fans for every team as well. Please be upset with this individual for his actions. Be upset with individuals who, more than likely under the influence, did not make the wisest choice in posing with him. It is due to the other comments made on here that prompted me to speak in the first place. Conflict between opposing fans shouldn’t be the focus. This man is, and should be dealt with accordingly.
Uh, he seems to act more Like a Gaytor Fan than a Bama Fan,
Tracy,
I made my comment about the middle east without reading your post. That was a coincidence. I agree with what you are saying but also realize that Auburn fans are being chastised on an Auburn site in the comments section of an Auburn article. I guess the question is, why in the world would anybody besides Auburn fans be on this site? God love it, this is the most blatant Auburn site on the internet.
Neutral,
I made the comment about the Middle East in response to this comment by you: “Wake up, look around, and realize that the world doesn’t revolve around or care about your two cents.” I’m not going to get into a “I’ve been more places than you” contest. However, I am very much awake and I’ve looked around plenty. Please let me know once you’ve solved the conflict between Auburn and alabama fans. I’ve got some trees that I’d like to have “un-poisoned”. Also, to be “neutral”, you sure are making some lame excuses: “individuals who, more than likely under the influence, did not make the wisest choice in posing with him.” Sorry, you are probably a really nice person but give me a freakin’ break.
It does not matter what team he pulls for this man has mental problems. For Auburn fans to say he is a typical Bammer is as stupid as he is. Both teams have idiots for fans. Stop being jealous! You sound like a bunch of children.
It is sad and pathetic. I don’t blame Alabama fans for his mental illness. Most fans,I would think, do not associate themselves with this man, Those that do, are as pathetic as he. This is not about Ala vs Auburn fans. It is about a mentally unbalanced person who has let his obsession with the team become part of his delusions. I don’t have a problem with him being a fan, just with the extent his illness has driven him to the actions he takes and no one seems to get the notion that he needs to be committed.
Honestly….is there any AU site where there aren’t any bama fans ready to pounce and tell us how we should think, act, and feel? It is just weird. I don’t go to bama sites because I just don’t care. And if I went to one, I wouldn’t act all shocked that I read some things I didn’t like and then have the nerve to act offended by it.
The face of the bama nation strikes again. Considering all of the “they’re just trees” comments I see floating around, they must be proud to have such a fine representative.
“Both teams have idiots for fans . . . ”
“You people need to take a long look at your actions before you judge others.”
I’m trying to recall any actions in recent memory to equate to what Updyke has done. I’m sorry, I may be biased but I don’t recall hearing about any Auburn fans being arrested for public indecency or “terrorizing” another fan or monument. In the past decade, we’ve had:
An Alabama fan arrested for stabbing students at a fraternity house party in Auburn and then blaming it on a mentally handicapped individual.
An Alabama fan shooting his son for asking to borrow the car after the Tide lost to Arkansas.
An Alabama fan who decided that the best course of action after the 2010 Iron Bowl was to drive 30 minutes out of his way to poison the Toomer’s Corner trees.
An Alabama fan arrested for lude conduct in a public restaurant in New Orleans following a win over LSU.
That’s 4 very extreme cases that I can think of off the top of my head, and I personally cannot remember a single such incident occurring with Auburn people. Granted, there are plenty of “low-class” Auburn fans living in this state, but have any of them perpetrated any crimes such as those I listed above? After the trees were poisoned, Alabama fans were constantly wondering aloud about when an Auburn fan would try to tear down the Bear Bryant statue in Tuscaloosa as retaliation. To this day, there has been no such retaliation.
I’m sorry, but the “both sides have their crazies” mantra doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. I understand that there are plenty of Auburn nuts out there, I just don’t see any of them taking the law into their own hands trying to implement some kind of Bammer vigilante justice to all those who dare insult the notion that Alabama isn’t the greatest thing in God’s creation. How many signs did we see at the first Gameday in Dallas that referenced Updyke’s quote of “Roll Damn Tide” or making fun of the trees. Haven’t we all seen the little “poem” T-shirt that Alabama fans are wearing these days referencing the death of the trees?
I know there are Alabama fans who hate the guy for what he did. I know there are Alabama fans who genuinely feel bad for what happened. But to be honest, I haven’t met many of them. The fact is that Harvey Updyke is the face of the Alabama fan nation. Whether that’s fair or not, you need to accept it and learn from it. It’s Alabama arrogance that made Harvey Updyke what he is, and chances are there are plenty of other Harvey Updykes residing in every corner of this state that have similar views. To be honest, I’d like to stop playing you people while I still have a campus to visit and send my daughter to school in 18 years before we win another Championship and see another Updyke burn down Samford Hall in retaliation.
Updyke may not actually be the norm, but he definitely appears to be. And as we Auburn fans know quite well from the Cam Newton saga, perception is quite often the reality in the public eye. So until your fanbase learns some class and common sense, stay away from us and we’ll stay away from you.
Does anybody recall David Irons’ eye swelling up like a balloon before the post game press conference at Bryant-Denny after another person who does not represent the alabama fan base threw a near full bottle from high in the stands and hit him in the eye as he was leaving the field?
I have been watching AU football for decades, and have watched them beat countless teams during that time. That is the only time I recall a fan reacting that way to their team scoring fewer points than another. “Yeeew take thayut mister Arns. That’ll learn ye”. This is alabama football.
But, as with the numerous other examples, some which have been stated above, this person does not represent the alabama fan base. Hey guys, I hate to break it to you, but at some point you are who you are.
Please don’t say the “Bama” in him. I am a crimson tide fan and was totally ashamed that an Alabama fan poisoned the trees. This guy is a stupid idiot and does not represent a normal Alabama fan. Updike has some serious mental problems. I would never do something so dumb over any sporting event. Football is my favorite sport, however it is just a game. If we lose we always look forward to winning again. Thank You for your time and I wish this Updike could stay locked up. RTR!
We nudes all bama fans by that action of 1. Well if that the case. Look around. Everyone. No team will be safe. Grow up people
@Jenn – Exactly. I have never been to a bama site and never will, yet in this thread alone I count at least five different bama fans posting. I think they’re Aub-sessed with Auburn.