Man Tries To Hit Brother-In-Law With Shovel, Fights With Police During Arrest: Hamden PD

HAMDEN, CT — A 37-year-old man is accused of attempting to hit his brother-in-law with a shovel during an argument and later spitting on and threatening officers at police headquarters. The man is also accused of fighting with officers and kicking the inside of the police cruiser while being transported to headquarters, according to police.

Hamden Police responded to the Church Street School parking lot, located at 95 Church Street, at about 8 p.m. on March 16 on the report of a fight-in-progress, according to Sgt. Anthony Diaz.

“While officers were responding to this location, another 911 call was received by Central Communications, stating that one of the individuals was now actively breaking into a residence on Church Street,” Diaz said in a press release.

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Diaz said investigation revealed that Clarence Freeman, of an unknown address, went to a family member’s residence in the 100 block of Church Street and began an argument with his brother-in-law, who in turn locked him out of the residence.

“The incident escalated to Clarence Freeman kicking in the rear door and charging at his brother-in-law inside the residence and then chasing after him outside,” Diaz said. “Clarence Freeman allegedly picked up a shovel and was attempting to strike his brother-in-law with it. The brother-in-law was not injured during the altercation and ran back inside the residence where Clarence Freeman followed him.

“Clarence Freeman took a bottle of prescription from inside the residence before leaving and was detained outside as officers arrived on scene and placed him under arrest.”

Diaz said Freeman was combative while handcuffed inside the back of a police cruiser, kicking the right rear door and window as he was being transported.

Freeman also spat on officers and threatened officers during and after being transported to police headquarters, according to Diaz.

Freeman was charged with three counts of assault on a peace officer and one count each of interfering with a police officer, second-degree breach of peace, threatening, third-degree criminal mischief, sixth-degree larceny, illegally obtaining a prescription legend drug, possession of a controlled substance and possession of less than ½ ounce of marijuana.

Freeman was detained on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on March 17.

Pictured: Clarence Freeman, 37 / Hamden Police Department

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