Bodycam video shows man sucker-punching Newtown police officer
By: Newtown, CT - A Newtown man was charged with assaulting a police officer during a disturbance call on Hanover Road.
Daniel Morris, 40, was arrested on Saturday after police responded to a 911 report for a disturbance.
Authorities did not specify what the disturbance was.
Officer Hyvarinen arrived and tried to speak with Morris and detain him.
Morris put his hands up in surrender, then “sucker-punched” Officer Hyvarinen in the mouth, according to police.
Officer Hyvarinen was alone at the time.
Police said the officer “responded proportionally” to Morris’s actions.
Morris continued to fight and placed Officer Hyvarinen in a headlock and chokehold, officials said.
Officer Hyvarinen was reportedly able to lift the 220-pound Morris over his head and release himself from the chokehold.
Morris kept fighting with Officer Hyvarinen and struck him again in the face while they fought on the ground, according to police.
“Officer Hyvarinen overpowered and outperformed Morris,” Newtown police said.
Both Officer Hyvarinen and Morris suffered minor injuries to their faces. Morris was seen by EMS and cleared by Danbury Hospital.
He was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering/resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Morris was held on a $75,000 cash bond and was scheduled to be arraigned in Danbury Superior Court on Nov. 24.