Police: Drunk Contortionist Put on Performance in Back of Squad Car

A 25-year-old Connecticut man gave police and witnesses an impromptu show, complete with contortions and "confetti," after officers placed him in the back of a squad car Tuesday morning.

The New Britain man walked into El Tesoro Restaurant at 11:30 a.m., swigging from "a large bottle of alcohol" as he ordered food, a waitress told police. When the waitress walked back toward the grill, the man followed despite her protests. The waitress moved toward a phone to call police, but the man blocked her path, then shifted his attention to a wall covered with currency from the restaurant's well-wishers.

The man pinned a $5 bill on the wall, then turned toward the waitress and said, "This is your tip," before walking out. Witnesses told police he started hammering down on the window gate of a neighboring store, drawing onlookers with the noise.

The suspect bolted when he saw police, after stashing his alcohol in a pillowcase he was carrying, but police were able to catch him and place him in cuffs, Lt. James Ladeairous said.

As an officer interviewed witnesses, he glanced back at the squad car -- the suspect had contorted his arms and shoulders to bring his cuffed wrists from his back to his front. Confused onlookers watched as the 25-year-old reached into his pocket for money, then tore the bills to tiny pieces, tossing them up into the air.

"The cops say, 'Hey, we put the cuffs behind you,'" Ladeairous said. "So guess what he does?"

With police watching, the drunk man cheerily cooperated, bending his arms back through painful-looking angles and bringing his cuffed hands behind his back once again.

The New Britain man was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. Because both charges are violations, his name was not released.