SKOWHEGAN — A Skowhegan man and a woman believed to be his girlfriend were arrested early Sunday outside a local tavern after allegedly fighting with three police officers.
Police used a stun gun to subdue Paul LeClair, 26, and as they handcuffed him, Kasey Knowles, 31, also of Skowhegan, allegedly attacked one of the officers from behind, punching him and pulling on his equipment and uniform, according to Skowhegan Police Chief David Bucknam.
Kasey Knowles and Paul LeClair
The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. Sunday at Bloomfield’s Tavern, when Sgt. Herbert Oliver, Officer Jacob Boudreau and Officer Ryan Blakeney responded to a report of a fight inside the bar and found LeClair and Knowles yelling outside the bar.
Witnesses told police that LeClair and another man had gotten into a fight in the bar and LeClair had to be removed from the premises by Bloomfield’s staff, who told police they didn’t want LeClair to come back in.
Despite several warnings, LeClair “continued to remain defiant and continued to yell at everyone,” Bucknam said, and when Boudreau, Blakeney and Oliver tried to put LeClair under arrest and handcuff him, LeClair continued to resist. That’s when Oliver used his stun gun.
As LeClair was being taken into custody, Knowles allegedly attacked Blakeney from behind, punching him and pulling on his equipment and uniform.
Knowles was arrested and charged with obstructing government administration, assault on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct.
LeClair was taken into custody and charged with failure to submit to arrest or detention, assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. Assault on a law enforcement officer is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. The other charges are misdemeanors.
Bucknam said Boudreau’s watch was broken, Oliver’s wrist was injured and his body camera was destroyed in the scuffle.
LeClair and Knowles were taken to the Somerset County Jail. LeClair was released on $1,000 bail. Knowles was released on $300 bail.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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