Officer injured in fight at Port Authority terminal

BEYOND BERGEN: A Port Authority police officer injured his arm and hand during a fight with a homeless man who police said refused to move from one of the entrances to the authority bus terminal in Manhattan.

Photo Credit: *Courtesy PORT AUTHORITY PD*

Jerry DeMarco

11/13/2013 2:17 p.m.

The officer asked 38-year-old John Thomas to move so that people could get in and out as yesterday’s morning rush was beginning, the authority’s Joseph Pentangelo said.

At first, Thomas “remained in the doorway, challenging the officer,” Pentangelo said. Then a scuffle began.

Despite being pepper-sprayed, Thomas “continued to struggle and assaulted the officer” before taking off on foot, he said.

He was caught on West 41st Street and taken into custody.

The officer was taken to Bellevue Hospital, Pentangelo said.

Thomas, who wasn’t injured, was booked on charges of assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, he said.

MUGSHOT: Courtesy PORT AUTHORITY PD

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