A man who police say identified himself as a
former New York City police officer is wanted on a $25,000 warrant for
allegedly beating and seriously injuring a Killington nightclub manager.
Thomas R. Stevens, 45, was scheduled to appear in Rutland criminal court Monday to answer to a felony charge of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of unlawful trespass and disorderly conduct. When he didn’t appear at his arraignment, Judge Theresa DiMauro ordered a warrant for his arrest with bail set at $25,000.
Stevens, of Kings Park, N.Y., was allegedly involved in a fight outside the Pickle Barrel nightclub on Killington Road during the early morning hours of Feb. 8.
But he wasn’t arrested and issued a citation until the end of March, according to court records.
Killington Police Chief Robert “Whit” Montgomery wrote in an affidavit that Stevens was responsible for repeatedly assaulting Pickle Barrel manager Robert Labate, who was in the process of ordering Stevens out of the establishment for the second time that night.
Labate, who underwent surgery to repair fractures to his face allegedly inflicted by Stevens, told police that at 12:10 a.m., he ordered the New York man to leave the bar because of his level of intoxication and Stevens agreed to leave.
But 20 minutes later, Labate said Stevens was back in the bar swearing and yelling at one of the club employees.
Labate said he tried to defuse the situation but only drew the ire of Stevens, who, he said, cursed him and told him he would fight the bar manager outside.
Labate said he declined to fight, but at the door, he said Stevens grabbed his hair and pulled him outside where he said Stevens and some members of his party punched him repeatedly in the head.
Before the fight began, Labate said he would call the police if Stevens didn’t leave, to which the New York man allegedly replied “(Expletive) you, call the police. I am the police.”
Montgomery said Stevens told him he fought in self defense after being thrown to the ground.
Montgomery quoted Stevens as saying, “I was grabbed by the bouncer and pushed backwards outside. Next thing I knew, I was on my back being pummeled and had to defend myself.
Stevens, who Montgomery said had dried blood on his hands and pants and a scratch on the right side of his face, said he was a retired police officer from New York. During the interview, Montgomery said Stevens told him that he “knows how this works” and showed him his badge.
“He stated: “Cops need to look out for one another,” Montgomery wrote.
Stevens and one of his friends were given paperwork to submit official statements but never responded, Montgomery said.
If convicted of all three charges, Stevens faces up to 15 years in jail.
brent.curtis @rutlandherald.com
Thomas R. Stevens, 45, was scheduled to appear in Rutland criminal court Monday to answer to a felony charge of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of unlawful trespass and disorderly conduct. When he didn’t appear at his arraignment, Judge Theresa DiMauro ordered a warrant for his arrest with bail set at $25,000.
Stevens, of Kings Park, N.Y., was allegedly involved in a fight outside the Pickle Barrel nightclub on Killington Road during the early morning hours of Feb. 8.
But he wasn’t arrested and issued a citation until the end of March, according to court records.
Killington Police Chief Robert “Whit” Montgomery wrote in an affidavit that Stevens was responsible for repeatedly assaulting Pickle Barrel manager Robert Labate, who was in the process of ordering Stevens out of the establishment for the second time that night.
Labate, who underwent surgery to repair fractures to his face allegedly inflicted by Stevens, told police that at 12:10 a.m., he ordered the New York man to leave the bar because of his level of intoxication and Stevens agreed to leave.
But 20 minutes later, Labate said Stevens was back in the bar swearing and yelling at one of the club employees.
Labate said he tried to defuse the situation but only drew the ire of Stevens, who, he said, cursed him and told him he would fight the bar manager outside.
Labate said he declined to fight, but at the door, he said Stevens grabbed his hair and pulled him outside where he said Stevens and some members of his party punched him repeatedly in the head.
Before the fight began, Labate said he would call the police if Stevens didn’t leave, to which the New York man allegedly replied “(Expletive) you, call the police. I am the police.”
Montgomery said Stevens told him he fought in self defense after being thrown to the ground.
Montgomery quoted Stevens as saying, “I was grabbed by the bouncer and pushed backwards outside. Next thing I knew, I was on my back being pummeled and had to defend myself.
Stevens, who Montgomery said had dried blood on his hands and pants and a scratch on the right side of his face, said he was a retired police officer from New York. During the interview, Montgomery said Stevens told him that he “knows how this works” and showed him his badge.
“He stated: “Cops need to look out for one another,” Montgomery wrote.
Stevens and one of his friends were given paperwork to submit official statements but never responded, Montgomery said.
If convicted of all three charges, Stevens faces up to 15 years in jail.
brent.curtis @rutlandherald.com
1 comment:
I'm the daughter of a police officer. He would have been proud of our Chief Montgomery for doing the right thing.
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