Police: Intoxicated Pearl River Man, 72, Breaks Police Officer's Nose

An intoxicated 72-year-old Pearl River man who was turned away from a Pearl River bar punched a police officer who was trying to help him into a cab and broke the cop's nose, according to .

Thomas Rowles of 69 Pilgrim Court, Pearl River, is charged with assaulting a police officer, a felony, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, after a 6:18 p.m. incident Friday at , 61 E. Central Avenue.

Police said Orangetown police officers and an officer from the Rockland County Sheriff's Department went to the bar after a report of an intoxicated person who was unwanted at the bar. When police arrived, Rowles was attempting to enter the bar.

Outside the bar, a car service vehicle was waiting for Rowles. Police said officiers tried to assist Rowles with getting into the cab, but Rowles yelled an obscenity at the officers and punched an Orangetown officer in the face.

Police said the officer sustained a broken nose and was taken to Nyack Hospital. He was treated and later released from the hospital.

As police officers went to arrest Rowles, police said, he refused to cooperate and struggled. When he was hancuffed and being taken to a police car, police said Rowles struggled and tried to break free.

During the incident Rowles suffered a cut on his head and was taken by members of South Orangetown Ambulance Corps to Nyack Hospital. Rowles was held overnight at the hospital for treatment and observation because of his intoxicated condition, police said.

Rowles was issued appearance tickets for a hearing in Orangetown Town Court in Orangeburg.