Two St. Thomas Police officers have sustained serious injuries following an incident near a downtown business Monday night. Police say the business owner contacted them just after 6:30 p.m. in regards to a male damaging property.
The 28-year-old man, who was known to police and at large on an outstanding bench warrant, appeared to be experiencing a psychotic episode due to the consumption of illicit street drugs.
Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and calm the male down, to no avail.
The male violently lashed out and struck an officer in the face with a closed fist causing serious injury, before he was eventually subdued and arrested.
Police note that a second officer also sustained a serious hand injury during the violent encounter.
As a result, David Fellegi has been charged with;
Assault Police (two counts)
Resist arrest
Possession of a controlled substance – Methamphetamine
Fail to Comply – Probation-‘possess incendiary device’
Fail to Comply- Probation – ‘keep the peace and be of good behaviour’
“This is another example of the dangerous risks associated to policing. We continue to see these violent occurrences play out against the police throughout Ontario and it is absolutely unacceptable. Policing is a public service like no other. There is no place for this type of violence in our community.” Chief Marc Roskamp
