Crime & Safety
Man Assaults Officers, Damages Sprinklers In Prison Cell: Police
Police say the man challenged officers who were conducting a patrol of the area bars as they were closing Saturday night in West Hartford.
WEST HARTFORD, CT — A 33-year-old man is accused of assaulting two police officers and damaging the sprinkler system inside a holding cell at West Hartford Police headquarters early Sunday morning, according to police. Leroy John Herr was arrested at about 1:45 a.m. on June 10 as police were conducting a routine foot patrol in the area of 36 Lasalle Road as area bars were closing for the night.
Police said a disturbance occurred between two individuals that quickly ended as area officers arrived on scene to investigate. Herr is accused of immediately challenging officers about his rights and came within inches of an officer's face, according to the police report.
“Herr was instructed to back away from the officer which he did not comply so the officer backed away from Herr,” police wrote in the report. “Herr immediately followed the officer, getting closer to the officer's face to intimidate and challenge the officer again. The officer placed his hand on Herr's chest and pushed him away. Herr then rushed towards the officer and a scuffle ensued. Several officers were able to take Herr into custody. Two officers were injured as a result of the scuffle. Both officers suffered abrasions to their hands and knees along with an injured wrist.”
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Herr was then taken to police headquarters where he proceeded to take off all of his clothing, according to police. Herr was handcuffed to a holding bar to limit his mobility in the cell block area for safety, police said.
“Herr was then able to break the hinged handcuffs off of himself and then immediately jumped up and broke the Fire Sprinkler system in the ceiling of his prisoner cell,” police said. “Water immediately poured out and the cell block area flooded with water.”
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Herr was restrained and placed into a different holding cell, according to police.
Herr was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer and one count each of second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer and first-degree criminal mischief. He is being held on a $125,000 bond.
Pictured: Leroy John Herr / West Hartford Police Department
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