Police say man punched officer during arrest after crash

Patrick Bradley (Rochester Police photo)

EAST ROCHESTER - A Windham man was arrested early Sunday after police say he rearended another vehicle on Highland Street then punched an officer twice during his arrest for reckless conduct in connection with the crash.

The incident began around 1:25 a.m. when Officer Nicholas Alexander responded to Highland Street in the area of Aroma Joe's for the report of an accident involving Patrick T. Bradley, 31, who had rearended another vehicle.

As Alexander interviewed Bradley, he put the car in drive and began to leave, whereupon he was ordered to put the car in Park and complied, Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas said today.

"Mr. Bradley then said to the officer, 'I probably have a warrant, so you'll have to arrest me,'" Thomas said.

Bradley was asked to get out of the vehicle and finally opened the door in "an agitated" fashion and punched Alexander in the face. After Bradley was momentarily restrained he broke free and punched the officer again, according to an affidavit.

Alexander was then assisted by Patrol Officer John Gantert and Bradley was placed under arrest.

A female in the car Bradley hit refused treatment and left in her own vehicle, according to the police report.

Bradley was charged with felony reckless conduct, two counts of disobeying a police officer, two counts of resisting arrest, two counts of assault on law enforcement and driving after revocation or suspension.

Thomas said Bradley also had two bench warrants pending against him.

He will be arraigned on Tuesday in Strafford County Superior Court.