SKOWHEGAN — A Skowhegan man and a woman said to be his girlfriend were arrested early Sunday outside a local tavern after allegedly fighting with three police officers.

Skowhegan Police Chief David Bucknam said Paul LeClair, 26, was taken to the ground by police and zapped with a Taser before being handcuffed and taken into custody. As LeClair was being arrested, the woman, Kasey Knowles, 31, also of Skowhegan, allegedly attacked one of the officers from behind, punching him and pulling on his equipment and uniform, Bucknam said.

The apparent melee began to unfold just before 1 a.m. Sunday at Bloomfield’s Tavern on the corner of Madison Avenue and Water Street.

Sgt. Herbert Oliver, Officer Jacob Boudreau and Officer Ryan Blakeney responded to a report of a fight inside the bar and found LeClair and Knowles yelling outside the bar “with visible minor injuries.”

Police questioned patrons at the bar, and witnesses said LeClair had gotten into a confrontation with another man in the bar. A fight ensued and LeClair was removed from the bar, Bucknam said. The other man apparently had left the bar before police arrived, he said.

Bloomfield’s staff told police that they didn’t want LeClair to return to the bar. Boudreau issued him a trespass warning.

“Due to his level of intoxication, Paul refused to listen to Officer Boudreau by leaving the bar,” Bucknam said. “Officer Boudreau gave Paul numerous warnings for trespass, but Paul continued to remain defiant and continued to yell at everyone.”

After the warnings failed to produce the intended result, Boudreau told LeClair that he was under arrest, and officer Blakeney attempted to place him in handcuffs.

“Paul proceeded to fight with both Officer Blakeney and Officer Boudreau,” the chief said. “He was taken to the ground where he continued to resist the officers. Sgt. Oliver arrived on scene and Paul continued to fight with officers.”

Bucknam said Boudreau’s watch was broken in the scuffle, Oliver’s wrist was injured and his body camera was destroyed while trying to subdue LeClair.

Oliver then deployed his Tazer on LeClair. He was taken into custody and charged with failure to submit to arrest or detention, assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. The assault on a law enforcement officer is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. The rest of the charges are misdemeanors.

As LeClair was being taken into custody, Knowles then allegedly attacked Blakeney from behind punching him and pulling on his equipment and uniform. She was arrested and charged with obstructing government administration, assault on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct.

Both were taken to the Somerset County Jail in East Madison for processing. A jail intake officer on Tuesday said LeClair was released on $1,000 bail. Knowles was released on $300 bail.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter:@Doug_Harlow

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