HAMPDEN COUNTY, MA — Rorie Susan Woods, 57, has been arrested nearly 800 miles away from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, after allegedly setting beehives loose on law enforcement officers and nearby residents during an eviction protest.
Woods, also known as Rebecca Woods, is facing four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of disorderly conduct, according to the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.
The Bee Incident
On October 12, 2022, Woods allegedly drove an SUV carrying beehives to a property on Memery Lane in Longmeadow, where an eviction was underway.
Deputies reported that Woods, upset about the eviction, removed and smashed the lids of the hives, causing the bees to become extremely aggressive.
Some of the bees even swarmed and stung deputies and bystanders, including individuals who were allergic to bee stings. One sheriff’s office employee had to be hospitalized due to the allergic reaction.
Defiant Actions and Arrest
When an officer informed Woods of their allergy to bees, she allegedly responded, “Oh, you’re allergic? Good.” Deputies said that Woods then donned a beekeeper suit and proceeded to carry another hive toward the home before being taken into custody.
A photo from the arrest shows Woods in the beekeeper gear and standing beside her blue SUV with a trailer carrying stacked boxes.
Legal Proceedings and Flight
Despite her arrest, Woods was released before her trial began, but after several delays, her trial was scheduled for August 5, 2025. On the day of her trial, Woods, who was representing herself, failed to appear in court. A judge then issued a non-bailable warrant for her arrest, and law enforcement began searching for Woods.
Arrest in Tennessee
Woods was eventually located at a hotel in Kingsport, Tennessee, and arrested on Thursday. Following her arrest, she was arraigned in Tennessee and will be extradited back to Massachusetts to face trial.
Sheriff’s Statement on the Incident
The Hampden County Sheriff, Nick Cocchi, spoke out about the dangerous nature of Woods’ actions, stating that they are prepared for protests during evictions, but Woods crossed a line by endangering lives. He noted that if the staff member who was stung had not recovered, Woods could have faced manslaughter charges.
“We had one staff member go to the hospital and luckily, he was alright or she would be facing manslaughter charges,” Sheriff Cocchi said. “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.”
Woods now faces multiple charges in connection with her actions, and authorities continue to work on bringing her back to Massachusetts for her trial.
