WESTFIELD – Police said they had to taser a city man twice after he assaulted the arresting officer and resisted arrest.
Officers were called to 6 Sackett Street at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday for a well-being check on a man believed to be highly intoxicated.
Officers detected the odor of alcohol and noticed that the resident, Ronald R. Dionne, was slurring his words and not making a lot of sense, according to Westfield Police Officer David Burl’s report.
Dionne, 46, told police he had consumed “about one pint of vodka,” according to court records.
Dionne agreed to go to the hospital, but first attempted to drink another beer. When Burl tried to take the beer from Dionne, he hit Burl in the chest, said Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe.
Burl wrote in his report: “When I removed the beer can from his hands Dionne then became angry and started to swing at me. He was able to hit me once in the chest area with his fist.”
As Burl defended himself and pushed the suspect away, Dionne fell onto the kitchen floor.
While Burl and Officer Jeffrey Vigneault attempted to place handcuffs onto Dionne, he was actively resisting, according to court records.
“Dionne had to be given two drive stuns from my taser before he stopped resisting,” Burl wrote.
Dionne was arrested on charges of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
He was released on his personal recognizance at his Thursday arraignment and is due back in court on January 14.
Burl did not require medical attention.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
