Intoxicated Man Struggles With, Spits On Officer: Cops

GREENPORT, NY — An intoxicated man resisted arrest and spit on an officer during the popular Dances in the Park event in Greenport Monday night, police said.

According to Southold Town Police, Matthew Jankite, 30, was arrested on Front Street at 8:54 p.m. and charged with second degree obstructing governmental administration; resisting arrest; disorderly conduct/fight, violent behavior; second degree harassment: physical contact; and a Greenport Village code violation for consumption of an alcoholic beverage on a public street.

Jankite was observed drinking from an open liquor bottle in public in Mitchell Park and when stopped by an officer, failed to provide identification and actively walked away drinking his liquor, police said.

The officer followed Jankite, who then aggressively walked toward the undersigned officer, yelling obscenities in a heavily crowded area, police said.

Jankite was told he was under arrest and refused to be handcuffed by the officer at the scene, police said. After a brief struggle, Jankite was soon placed under arrest and then spit on an officer who was placing him in the police vehicle, police said.

Jankite was transported to Southold Town Police Headquarters for processing and held pending arraignment, police said.