A New Vineyard man was arrested Saturday on charges of domestic violence assault and assault on an officer after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend in front of two police officers in Wilton, the officers said, and fought with police when they tried to arrest him.
Kirk Hamel, 43, of New Vineyard, was charged with domestic violence assault, two counts of assault on an officer, refusal to submit to arrest, violation of conditional release, operating under the influence of drugs, reckless conduct with a motor vehicle, operating after suspension, criminal mischief and operating an unregistered vehicle.
Wilton police received multiple calls shortly after noon on Saturday of a black Chevrolet Camaro driving recklessly over lawns on Main Street. One man reported that the driver, Hamel, almost struck bystanders and his Labrador retriever on a lawn.
Wilton police officer Gary Allen, with assistance from Farmington police Sgt. Edward Hastings, located the stopped vehicle on Tyler Street in Wilton. Wilton Police Chief Heidi Wilcox could not say whether Hamel and his girlfriend were in the car when the officers found it, but that they were located at the same time as the car.
After Hamel allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in front of the officers, they attempted to place him under arrest. They said Hamel fought with them, kicking them and striking them both in the face and head. The officers tried to use a Taser multiple times to subdue Hamel, they said, but it had minimal effect.
The officers sustained minor injuries during the altercation with Hamel, but were able to place him under arrest.
Allen and Hastings have both been medically cleared. Hamel’s girlfriend refused medical treatment.
According to the officers’ report, Hamel was hallucinating, though Wilcox could not elaborate on what behavior Hamel was exhibiting. A toxicology test was done on Hamel, but the results have not yet been released.
Bail has not yet been set for Hamel, who is being held at the Franklin County Jail. He was scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.
Lauren Abbate — 861-9252
Twitter: @Lauren_M_Abbate
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