Man Assaults Officer, Bites Person At Home Depot: North Haven PD

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A New Haven man is accused of assaulting a police officer and biting a bystander who was assisting the officer during a wild scene at Home Depot in North Haven on Wednesday. At around 2:15 p.m., North Haven police responded to Home Depot on Universal Drive on the report of a driver leaving the scene of an accident and entering the store.

A witness gave police a description of the vehicle and the driver. The first-arriving officer found a man matching the description inside Home Depot, according to police.

“Upon approaching the suspect to detain him for further investigation, he pulled away from the officer and then actively fought with the officer, at one point placing him in a headlock, which our officer was quickly able to break free from,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “The suspect then attempted to flee the store, although the officer was able to grab the suspect from behind and prevent him from leaving. The officer took the suspect to the ground and was attempting to hold him until backup arrived, when several bystanders assisted the officer, who was still struggling with the suspect. During this time the suspect bit the arm of one of the bystanders assisting the officer.”

Hommy Lugo, 43, of New Haven, was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, criminal attempt at sixth-degree larceny, breach of peace and motor vehicles charges. Lugo, who police said has more than 20 prior arrests, was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

“We would like to thank the bystanders who assisted our officer in controlling the suspect,” police said. “This speaks volumes about the North Haven Community.”