Pa. Man Arrested After Yelling, Interfering at Fire Scene

July 8, 2014
The man was Tasered twice, and pulled out the prongs both times.

July 07--AMBRIDGE -- A borough man is facing charges after he disrupted first responders attempting to contain a structure fire, police said.

Several firefighters and first responders from Ambridge and Harmony Township responded to a building fire that occurred about 1:15 a.m. July 2 at 282 Fourth St. in Ambridge, police said.

According to a police report, Anthony Perri, 46, approached Ambridge firefighters and began yelling at them, using obscene language. Responders told Perri to back up; however, he continued to yell, telling the firefighters to pour water on the building, police said.

According to the report, police told Perri to leave the area and he refused, saying the burning building is where his father lives. Police told Perri to leave and let the firefighters do their job, but Perri insisted he had a right to be there. Police then told Perri if he didn't leave, he would be arrested. Perri continued to use foul language with police, disrupting the scene.

As Perri was told he was under arrest, he started to turn away, which prompted police to use a Taser. According to the report, Perri ripped the Taser prongs from his chest and attempted to run away from police. As he ran, he stumbled into a tree but got up and ran down Merchant Street, police said.

According to the report, police caught up with Perri in the 300 block of Merchant Street, where he attempted to punch an officer. Police used pepper spray in an attempt to subdue him. The pepper spray had no effect on Perri, police said.

The struggle to arrest Perri continued, with one officer hitting Perri as he punched and kicked police. He was tased again and pulled the prongs from his chest, police said. According to the report, Perri reached back and struck one officer in the face.

He was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and obstructing emergency services by Ambridge police.

Perri, of 130 Park Road, is free after posting a $15,000 bond, court documents show. According to online records, he is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Sept. 5.

Copyright 2014 - Beaver County Times, Pa.

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