NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On June 1, at approximately 12:10 a.m., 1 District St. Catharines officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service responded to an unwanted male/disturbance in downtown St. Catharines.
When officers arrived in the area of Helliwells Lane and St. Paul Street, they located a large fight. Witnesses directed officers to a male who was actively fighting as the instigator. Officers attempted to arrest the male, who began to thrash about and resist arrest violently. The male resisted arrest by grabbing onto the officers trying to break free. The man was directed to the ground, where he continued to resist officers. After a lengthy and violent struggle, officers were able to subdue and handcuff the man.
One of the officers was headbutted in the face, another was cut after being struck in the face, and the third officer suffered cuts to their hands and body. All the injuries are considered minor.
Following his arrest, a search of the man found suspected cocaine and methamphetamine in his pockets.
Bronson Michael Perna, 33, from St. Catharines, has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
- Cause disturbance
- Resist arrest
- Assault a peace officer
- Possession of crystal methamphetamine
- Possession of cocaine
Perna was held in custody for a video bail hearing at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on June 1.
Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to contact officers at 905-688-4111, ext. 1024233.
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