Man Uses Frying Pan During Assault, Injures Officer During Booking

Wayne Theriault, 25, no fixed address, was arrested Jan. 14, after allegedly hitting a man over the head with a metal frying pan during an argument at a Chestnut Street residence.

He was further charged after a scuffle at the Nashua Police station.

Police arrived at the scene of the original complaint on Chestnut Street just before 10 p.m. on Jan. 14, following a 911 call. There, the victim, an adult male, was suffering from a head injury, allegedly sustained after Theriault struck him with a metal frying pan. The victim told police he was also pushed twice by Theriault, but did not suffer further injury. The victim, whose name was not released by police, was treated at a local hospital for the injury, and released.

Theriault was still at the Chestnut Street residence when police arrived, and was arrested without incident and taken to Nashua Police headquarters for booking. While in police custody, Theriault became aggressive toward police officers present, and as police attempted to place Theriault in a holding cell, he allegedly assaulted one of the officers. A struggle followed between Theriault and the officers, and one officer sustained facial injuries which required stitches.

The officer was treated at a local hospital and later released. The incident was further investigated by detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division.

Theriault was charged with first degree assault, a class A felony, for the frying pan incident; and second degree assault, a class B felony, for the alleged assault on the officer;  three counts of simple assault, class A misdemeanors; and resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor.

The class A felony is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment, exclusive of fines. The class B felony is punishable by up to seven years imprisonment, exclusive of fines. Each class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail, exclusive of fines.

Theriault refused bail and was held at the Nashua Police Department pending his arraignment in the 9th Circuit Nashua District Division Court on January 15, 2013.