'Crazed' Assailant Subdued by Vernon Police in Violent Incident

VERNON, CT — Police had to draw their weapons, subdue a man with a Taser and then wrestle a "spit hood" on him before arresting him in a wild domestic violence incident at a local apartment complex on Wednesday.

The call involving 31-year-old Stafford resident Thomas Marko came into 4:36 p.m., according to a warrant. While en route to the call at Dobbs Crossing, 1170 Hartford Turnpike, an officer was advised that a man was in the kitchen of a unit holding a steak knife while a woman and her dog were locked in a bedroom, according to a warrant.

The first officer on the scene drew his weapon and approached the apartment, according to a warrant. Several moments of silence had elapsed since the 911 call and, after backup arrived, officers began walking up a stairwell toward the apartment, fearing the woman's safety, according to a warrant.

Marko appeared at the top of the stairwell and turned on the officers after daring them to shoot or blast him with a Taser, according to a warrant. He eventually tensed up, screamed and appeared ready to push his way down a stairwell, according to a warrant.

Police then deployed a Taser and Marko fell on the upper stairwell landing, according to a warrant. He had a "crazed" and blank stare, according to a warrant.

The woman was distressed and was escorted from the bedroom, according to a warrant. Knives were strewn on the floor of the apartment, according to a warrant. Marko had been living with the woman for about three weeks, paying $150 in rent every seven days, and had become increasingly agitated and was referring to himself as "the devil" according to a warrant.

Marko appeared ready to spit on officers while in wrist and ankle restraints so a hood was placed over his bead, despite his efforts to prevent it, according to a warrant. He was escorted to Rockville General Hospital, where he repeatedly challenged police to kill him while also threatening to kill officers and uttering suicidal threats, according to a warrant.

Marko has five active warrants from state police for restraining order violations, has been arrested 10 times and had been convicted previously for domestic violence, according to a warrant.

The woman told police that on Wednesday be consumed a bottle of whiskey, marijuana and a liquid used in vaporizers, Marko threw an ash tray at her, shook her and then threatened to kill her, according to a warrant.

He was charged with criminal attempt at second-degree assault, second-degree threatening, second-degree reckless endangerment, interfering, and second-degree breach of peace, according to a warrant.

He was held overnight on a $200,000 bond and was to appear in court on Thursday, according to a warrant.

Photo Credit: VPD