Hartford Man Charged In Wild Supermarket Incident: West Hartford PD

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A video was released by West Hartford police Monday showing officers apprehending a Hartford man, reportedly under the influence of powerful narcotics, charged with assaulting customers at a local supermarket Sunday, police said.

Samuel Rivas, 39, of Hartford, is accused of assaulting multiple people in the Shop Rite parking lot, 983 New Britain Ave., according to West Hartford police.

Police said the preliminary investigation identified Rivas as the suspect, with the WHPD charging him with the assault of numerous people, including knocking an elderly woman to the ground and hitting her in the head.

Police said Rivas was arrested and charged with the following: assault on a police officer; second-degree assault on an elderly person; second-degree interfering with an officer; first-degree reckless endangerment; second-degree violation of conditions of release; second-degree breach of peace; and possession of narcotics.

According to police Monday, Rivas is currently being held on a $250,000 surety bond.

According to the WHPD, at 12:39 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to several 911 calls regarding a man actively assaulting multiple people at the supermarket's parking lot.

A WHPD officer arrived and upon exiting his patrol vehicle to speak with the suspect, he was immediately assaulted, police said.

Body camera footage provided by police Monday afternoon showed an already bloodied suspect approaching the officer in his vehicle, with the officer instructing him to "relax."

That's when the footage shows the suspect immediately taking a swing at the officer upon exiting of his police vehicle, the video depicts.

A brief struggle ensued and the suspect refused the officer’s commands, police said.

According to authorities, a good Samaritan observed the suspect assaulting the officer and assisted in restraining the suspect until additional officers arrived and were able to take the suspect into custody.

Witnesses reported the man was acting irrational, punching vehicles and was possibly under the influence of something, police said.

Rivas was taken to an area hospital for injuries he had sustained prior to the incident, police said.

Police said there were no injuries to the officers involved and the elderly victim suffered a laceration and contusion to her face and head, but was not transported to the hospital.

Rivas later admitted to officers he had used Phencyclidine ( PCP ) earlier in the day, police said.

"There were no injuries to the officers involved and the elderly victim suffered a laceration and contusion to her face and head but was not transported to the hospital," wrote the WHPD in a statement Monday.

Rivas was arrested and charged in connection with the incident, police said.

"The West Hartford Police Department would like to thank the good Samaritans that not only called for assistance but ultimately risked their own well-being to assist our officers and innocent victims," wrote the WHPD.

"If it were not for their quick actions this already difficult situation could have been escalated further."