Cops: Neighbors Applaud as Darien Man Arrested (Again) in His Yard

A 52-year-old Darien man has been charged with breach of peace again after bothering his neighbors on Tulip Tree Lane, Darien police said.

When he was arrested, police said, his neighbors, who had come outside and looked out of windows to see what was happening, applauded.

Police gave this account (an accusation not proven in court):

Mark Whitehead of 47 Tulip Tree Lane was in his front yard yelling, a caller told police at about 7:30 p.m. Police who went to the scene said they found Whitehead drinking an alcoholic beverage out of a red plastic cup. They warned him not to make much noise if he wanted to avoid an arrest, then left.

At least seven times since November 2013, police said, they’d been called to Whitehead’s home after complaints about his conduct. Whitehead was previously arrested by Darien police on a breach-of-peace charge in March, according to the Connecticut Judicial Branch website

At about 11 p.m., Whitehead was revving his truck in his driveway loudly and repeatedly, a caller told police, who went to the scene at about 11 p.m. They found the hood of the truck was warm when they arrived.

The front door of the house was open and the lights were on when police approached, and they saw Whitehead in the living room. They asked him if he was revving his engine.

He told them he had only moved his truck because his brother would be coming.

Police advised him to close his door and stay inside for the rest of the night.

Whitehead replied by calling the officer a “pussy” and slammed the door on police.

Police started to leave when they were met by the neighbor who called police, who said Whitehead had been yelling obscenities as well as revving the engine.

Whitehead then left his house, walked to his truck and entered it. Officers, aware he’d been drinking, were concerned he might drive off in the truck and ordered him out.

He refused.

Officers got him out, put him on the ground and handcuffed him.

By this point, numerous neighbors had come outside after hearing the commotion, and on seeing Whitehead in handcuffs, numerous people began clapping.

Whitehead yelled obscenites at the officers.

Police obtained sworn, written statements from neighbors regarding Whitehead yelling obscenities at night.

Whitehead was charged with breach of peace and held on a $250 bond, which he did not immediately post. He is next scheduled to be in state Superior Court in Stamford on Aug. 19.