Braintree Officer Taken to Hospital After Contact with PCP

BRAINTREE, MA - Six Braintree officers received medical attention after coming into contact with PCP during a stakeout.

The Ardmore Street area was briefly evacuated and closed Wednesday while a hazmat team investigated a house according to the Boston Herald.

The house was under surveillance due to complaints about activity from neighbors. The suspects, Stephen O'Brien, 47, and Joseph P. Thornton, 57, both of Quincy, were observed inside Thornton's parked car. Police say Thornton drove in reverse and rammed a cruiser as police approached. He then drove across the lawn while trying to escape.

When an arrest was made in Quincy, a bag believed to be PCP was discovered.

The officer who touched the bag was taken to a hospital when he said he felt sick. The other officers were checked out as a precaution.

Thornton was charged with failure to stop for police, leaving the scene of property damage, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a Class B substance, conspiracy to violate controlled substance law, and operating to endanger. O'Brien was charged with distributing a Class B substance, possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate controlled substance law.