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Jackson Harris, age unknown, was arrested on Tuesday around 10:36 a.m. after Stamford Police Officers Mark Zaramba and Heriberto Perez were working an extra-duty assignment in the area of Depinedo Avenue when they observed an altercation between a man and woman, said Lt. Michael Noto.
The woman told officers that Harris was “high” on PCP and not welcome on her property. As officers approached Harris, who is 6’5 and 240 pounds, he was verbally abusive and when they requested his identification he became physically abusive; shoving one of the officers and attempted to flee, Noto said.
Zaramba and Perez attempted to physically control Harris but he was striking the officers and fighting. Perez was able to put out a call for backup. Harris was eventually restrained after officers deployed a taser.
Following his arrest, Harris was taken to Stamford Hospital for treatment and later discharged. He was charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, four counts of assault on a police officer, breach of peace and criminal trespass.
He is being held on a $100,000.00 bond.
Several Stamford officers suffered minor injuries in the altercation. Harris was not injured. It was later learned that Harris had shown up at the residence of a former girlfriend, under the influence of PCP, and wanted to escort his children to school. The altercation began when he was refused and told to leave because of he was under the influence of drugs.
"PCP is a shortened name for Phenylcylohexyl piperidine and suspects under the influence of it present a dangerous situation for police officers," Noto said. "Suspects under the influence of PCP are often not responsive to questions or they may look at you with a 1,000-yard stare."
Noto added that countless officers are injured every year while dealing with people under the influence of PCP.
"The Stamford Police Department is very proud of the actions of its officers," he added. "Once again, officers working extra-duty assignments have come to the aid of someone in need. They are truly a force multiplier for our agency and our community."
Police are also warning resident that if they encounter a person under the influence of PCP, please do not attempt to deal with them yourself. Distance yourself from the person and call the police.
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