Accused breaks police cruiser partition, assaults officer, tries to get rifle out of mount during transportation: WGPS

A West Grey Police patch, as seen on Jan. 20, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)

Charges have been laid after police said a man from Saugeen First Nation had a ‘violent outburst’ during an arrest in West Grey.

On Friday, a man was arrested by the West Grey Police Service and was reportedly uncooperative.

When the accused was being taken to the Hanover District Hospital for assessment, police said the man became violent inside the police car. He allegedly slipped his handcuffs from his back to front, kicked the cruiser’s partition window until it broke, and got into the front cabin.

Police said once the suspect was in the front of the vehicle, he assaulted an officer and tried to get the patrol rifle from its mount.

When officers got control of the suspect, he was taken out of the vehicle, where he reportedly continued to resist arrest, fighting with officers and biting them. Hand and leg shackles were put on the suspect, along with a protective helmet to prevent further injury to officers or self-harm.

The accused was then taken to Hanover hospital. He remains under police custody and medical assessment.

Police searched the man’s belongings, leading to the seizure of ammunition, brass knuckles, and a spring-assisted knife.

West Grey police said the accused is under a probation order with conditions to keep the peace and not have any weapons. In addition, he is subject to a lifetime prohibition order from prior convictions for dangerous weapons and possession of a loaded firearm.

Nine new criminal charges were pressed against the accused.

• Adult Fail to Comply with Probation Order x3
• Adult Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon
• Adult Possession of a Firearm of Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Adult Mischief
• Adult Assault Peace Officer x2
• Adult Disarming a Peace Officer