BPD: Pot Bust Leads to Assault on Officer

Bloomfield police said a Bloomfield man engaged in a scuffle with a police officer while being questioned for smoking marijuana.  

According to a Bloomfield police report, on Sunday, April 21, Bloomfield Officers Luca Piscitelli and Jonathan Donker responding to a report of people smoking marijuana found Gerard Steele in an alley off Franklin Street at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Officers say Steel, 20, was in an alley with a “blunt” cigar on the ground and the odor of marijuana in the immediate area.

Police said that Steele became combative and shoved Officer Piscitelli when questioned and fought with the officers and being brought under control and placed under arrest. Before transporting Mr. Steele to police headquarters, police say they found more marijuana on him.

Steele was arrested for two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Marijuana, Being Under the Influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Judge Pirone placed bail at $15,000.00 and a court date was set.

Both Officers and Mr. Steele were treated by EMS for minor injuries that occurred during the scuffle.