Medford Man Accused of Breaking Into Apartment, Pepper Spraying Police

MEDFORD, MA – A Medford man who police say has more than 20 active warrants and a history of resisting arrest was taken into custody Sunday after allegedly breaking into an apartment in Brighton and assaulting pursuing officers.

Fabio Armelio, 39, is charged with two counts of breaking and entering a residence, three counts of assault and battery on a police officer, armed home invasion, armed assault in a dwelling, resisting arrest and threats.

According to Boston police, officers were called to an apartment in the area of Saint Luke's Road around 11:40 a.m. Sunday morning. Upon entering the building, they encountered Armelio, who is known to officers in the Brighton district, police said.

Armelio allegedly took off running and dropped a police scanner as he hurried up a stairwell leading to the top floor of the building, according to police.

He began climbing a ladder that led to the roof, but pursuing officers grabbed his legs to prevent his escape; police said Armelio then pulled out a canister of mace and sprayed both officers in the face.

Once freed, Armelio escaped to the roof, where he used a rope to swing to a third floor apartment. He allegedly punched the apartment tenant in the face and ran to the basement, where, after a continued physical confrontation with officers, he was eventually apprehended, police said.

Police allegedly confiscated two cans of pepper spray from Armelio after searching him.

According to a statement from Boston police, one of the supervisors said at the scene:

The officers involved in this incident not only make me proud to be a police officer but are most assuredly deserving of high levels of admiration and appreciation for showing us - once again - why the city of Boston is lucky to have some of the best and bravest police officers in the country. The suspect in this case had no intention of going down without a fight and every intention of hurting both police officers and community members alike. As a supervisor, my hats off to each and every officer who quickly responded to this scene and, on arrival, thought little of their own safety or security in their shared efforts to protect and serve the residents of Saint Luke’s Road while putting a dangerous felon behind bars.

Editor's Note: This report was written using information provided by the Boston Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

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