Central Bucks Regional Police responded to a fight in progress on North Main Street just after midnight on Friday, Dec. 27, where an officer attempted to separate two men involved in the altercation, according to the release.
As the officer forced one unidentified man away from the scene, Thomas Angel Rowe, 21, of Doylestown, attacked the officer from behind, striking him in the head, police said.
The officer grabbed Rowe around the waist and both fell to the ground, where Rowe repeatedly punched the officer in the head and slammed his head into the icy pavement, investigators detailed. Rowe continued the assault by biting the officer on the arm while members of the crowd shouted that he was fighting a police officer and ordered him to stop.
Several bystanders recorded the violent assault on their cell phones but did not attempt to intervene or render aid to the injured officer, police said.
Rowe continued to resist arrest and ignored commands from additional officers who arrived on scene before he was taken into custody, police said. He was later identified as an active U.S. Army platoon leader.
Rowe was charged with:
- Felony Aggravated Assault.
- Felony Aggravated Assault.
- Misdemeanor Resisting Arrest.
- Misdemeanor Simple Assault.
- Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct – Engaging in Fighting.
- Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct – Hazardous.
- Summary Harassment (two counts).
- Summary Public Drunkenness.
His preliminary arraignment was held, bail was set at 10 percent of $75,000, and he was remanded to Bucks County Prison, according to court records.
Another individual involved in the fight was cited for summary offenses and released. A third man — described as a white male wearing a plaid shirt — is still being sought for questioning in connection with the aggravated assault on the officer.
Police are asking anyone who recorded the incident or can identify the man in the plaid shirt to submit tips or cell phone video anonymously to Central Bucks Regional Police.
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