Motor-mouth witness turned viral video sensation gets ARRESTED on outstanding shoplifting charge after store owner recognized him on television

  • Courtney Barnes went to the Ridgeland Police Department, where he was arrested and booked on a contempt of court charge 
  • Barnes was then handed over to the Jackson Police Department, where he was charged in connection with a shoplifting case, police said
  • He gained infamy as he gave an eyewitness account of a crash involving a cop from Jackson, Mississippi, who was hit while he drove his cruiser
  • Questions have been raised as to the authenticity of his account 
  • In his illuminating description of the incident, Barnes said he was on the way to Burger King but after seeing the crash he lost his appetite
  • His colorful language about the accident saw his interview go viral

A man with green hair and fingernails who was interviewed this week at the scene of a crash that injured a Jackson police officer has been arrested.

Courtney Barnes found himself as an internet sensation after his descriptions of a car accident he witnessed sent the internet into overdrive.

Unfortunately for him though, his face cropping up on TV meant that a local store looking for a thief who appeared on their CCTV could identify the culprit. 

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Anything to say? Courtney Barnes, the star of this week's WLBT viral video, has turned himself into Ridgleland and Jackson police

It went something like this: Courtney Barnes recounts an accident involving a police patrol car in his own words although his elaborate account is now being questioned by some including the police

It went something like this: Courtney Barnes recounts an accident involving a police patrol car in his own words although his elaborate account is now being questioned by some including the police

The eccentric young man was first spotted giving an eyewitness account of a police chase he’d seen that had taken place in Jackson, Mississippi to WLBT and it was quite likely to be the best TV interview ever given.

He described the incident in hilarious detail, with quotes such as ‘It was a full twist-about and the police car just twist around like a tornado, girl, and the Lord just shook it up and the man got injured,’ sending his interview viral.

But his distinctive style and looks meant that the local business knew they had got their man. 

He went to the Ridgeland Police Department, where he was arrested and booked on a contempt of court charge. Barnes has over $1,600 in fines, mostly traffic-related.

Caught on camera: The store Barnes allegedly stole a hat from posted this image to Instagram

Caught on camera: The store Barnes allegedly stole a hat from posted this image to Instagram

Barnes was then handed over to the Jackson Police Department, where he was charged in connection with a shoplifting case, police said. He is accused of stealing a hat among other items, from a clothing store. 

Jackson police could not immediately say where the alleged shoplifting took place, but Barnes bears a striking resemblance to a suspect who was caught on CCTV in April.

Barnes denies lying about his account of the car crash that he supposedly witnessed and insists he is not a shoplifting suspect.

'Now, we all know that it's not accurate information,' Barnes said. 'I am personally taking care of certain information, but that is not accurate. And for those out there that are trying to stomp over my success, I pray for you and I hope that I can one day celebrate with you,' he told WAPT.

Officer Colendula Green confirmed that a warrant had been issued for Barnes' arrest.

Barnes later released a short statement via his Instagram account. The accusations against him include traffic violations and theft from shops. he will appear in court in Ridgeland in two weeks.

Humble apology: Barnes later released a short statement via his Instagram account. The accusations against him include traffic violations and theft from shops. He will appear in court in Ridgeland in two weeks

Barnes also posted a video to Instagram.

'I want to apologize about the things that are going around on social media about me. However, like I said, nobody is perfect. 

Everybody is going to make mistakes, but at the same time, I do keep God first and I want everybody to know that it will work out for the better.

But at the same time, let the negativity continue to come, because without negativity, we cannot do positivity,' Barnes said on the video. 

Barnes is scheduled to make a court appearance in Mississippi in two weeks. 

Girl! Courtney's descriptions of the crash has struck gold with what many are calling 'the interview of the year'

Lost appetite: Courtney was just on his way to get him 'a piece of burger' when the crash happened

Lost appetite: Courtney was just on his way to get him 'a piece of burger' when the crash happened

No matter the crimes he may have committed, his interview to a local TV news crew will be long remembered.

Rocking a green ponytail, long green fingernails, gloriously painted brows and a Philadelphia Eagles cap, Courtney recounted with earnestness, witnessing the high speed police chase, which resulted in a policeman spinning out of control and hitting a telephone pole, critically injuring himself.

'The guy was coming down and I guess the police was trying to do a stop point. The man said 'no, not today' and they began to race behind each other like cats and dogs.' 

Courtney told how he happened to be 'going to get a piece of burger from Burger King' when the crash happened.

How it began: A Mississippi news station asked Courtney about a car accident he apparently witnessed involving a police officer

How it began: A Mississippi news station asked Courtney about a car accident he apparently witnessed involving a police officer

Popular: Courtney's account has become the latest and greatest viral video, surpassing well over two million views within day

Popular: Courtney's account has become the latest and greatest viral video, surpassing well over two million views within day

To emphasize just how badly the accident had affected him, he said: 'I just stopped… because my hunger just went away.

'When I seen that accident, I just had to understand that someone was experiencing this difficult moment – ma'am, I just cannot continue to bear to talk.'

But Courtney didn't stop there – becoming even more animated as he went onto describe the accident in graphic detail.

'Girl, he hit the pole!' Courtney continued.

'His head went to one side and his body went to the other side and this is the result!'

'It was a full twist-about and the police car just twist around like a tornado, girl, and the Lord just shook it up and the man just got injured,' Courtney said in a seriously animated fashion. 

Still going: 'It was a full twist-about and the police car just twist around like a tornado, girl, and the Lord just shook it up and the man just got injured,' Courtney described the situation

Still going: 'It was a full twist-about and the police car just twist around like a tornado, girl, and the Lord just shook it up and the man just got injured,' Courtney described the situation

Colorful language: 'Girl, he hit the pole! His head went to one side and his body went to the other side and this is the result,' Courtney recounted

Colorful language: 'Girl, he hit the pole! His head went to one side and his body went to the other side and this is the result,' Courtney recounted

'This police officer don't know if his life is going to continue to make it or if he gonna just tap out,' he explained. 

The officer in question is recovering from the crash and is due to be released from hospital. 

Courtney has become an internet sensation, with his interview notching up more than two million views since it surfaced on WLBT's Facebook page. 

Even celebrities are chiming in on Courtney's three minutes of fame with pop star Nicki Minaj posting it to her Instagram account and The Washington Post calling it the 'interview of the year'. 

SOME OF COURTNEY BARNES BEST LINES 

'Girl, he hit the pole! His head went to one side, his body went to the other side, and this is the result. Lord be with this young man! He need a blessing.'

'Well, ma'am, I was actually going to buy a piece of burger from Burger King!'

'Ma'am, I just cannot bear to continue to talk.' 

'It was a full twist-about, and the police car just twist around like a tornado, girl!'

'This police officer doesn't know if his life is going to continue to make it, or he gonna just tap out.'

'The police officer's car fishtailed. That's what happened! It fishtailed, ma'am!'

Not holding back: The green haired, green finger-nailed witness, who was also contestant on So You Think You Can Dance? was visibly affected by the scene

Not holding back: The green haired, green finger-nailed witness, who was also contestant on So You Think You Can Dance? was visibly affected by the scene

Happy ending: The officer involved the car crash suffered a head injury but is expected to make a full recovery

Happy ending: The officer involved the car crash suffered a head injury but is expected to make a full recovery

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