BRIDGEWATER — Chief Christopher D. Delmonte reports that the Bridgewater Police Department arrested three men who allegedly got into an altercation after two demonstrations had concluded over the weekend.
NICHOLAS J. COLLELLA, AGE 21, OF SAUGUS was charged with:
- Assault and Battery
- Disorderly Conduct
- Affray
- Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
JAKE P. ZAWALICK, AGE 27, OF NORTH OXFORD was charged with:
- Assault and Battery
- Disorderly Conduct
- Affray
- Resisting Arrest
- Carrying a Dangerous Weapon While Committing a Breach of the Peace (Firearm)
DANIEL A. O’CONNELL, AGE 60, OF COVENTRY, R.I. was charged with:
- Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Disorderly Conduct
- Affray
The men were arraigned in Brockton District Court on Monday, March 22, and their cases were continued to May.
On Saturday, March 20, two demonstrations were held in town with one group on the town common at Central Square and the other group about a half-mile away at Legion Field on Bedford Street. There were about 200-300 people total at both rallies.
Town officials and the Bridgewater Police Department had met with organizers of each demonstration and communicated throughout the week leading up to the events. In preparation, the police department increased staffing and requested additional mutual aid assistance from the member police agencies of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) and the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (MetroLEC) to help ensure safety.
Chief Delmonte notes that although there were some tense exchanges during the demonstrations, particularly when a group of activists from Central Square moved to Legion Field in counter-protest, the two events were largely peaceful and no arrests were made during the actual demonstrations.
After the rallies were over, a small number of individuals from each demonstration engaged in a verbal altercation in a parking lot which became physical.
Police officers in the immediate area quickly separated the combatants. As a result of the fast actions of uniformed and plain clothes officers COLLELLA, ZAWALICK and O’CONNELL, none of whom are from the Bridgewater area, were taken into custody without further incident.
During the arrests, ZAWALICK was found to be carrying a loaded 9mm handgun. At the time of the incident, ZAWALICK possessed an active Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms. Details on ZAWALICK’S arrest was forwarded to the licensing authority.
Additionally, as officers were separating the individuals, COLLELLA allegedly punched a Bridgewater Police officer in the face. That officer was evaluated at the scene but did not require medical attention. EMS personnel were requested at the police station to evaluate the three arrested subjects but none required medical attention.
“I would like to thank the community for respecting the protesters’ rights to peaceably assemble and the attendees who were cooperative during the events. I would also like to commend and thank the professional police officers from several area police departments who answered the call for mutual aid resources and ensured the safety of everyone involved,” Chief Delmonte said.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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