Taylor borough police officers took a drunken man down with a Taser after violently fighting with officers on Sunday. Once in custody, he continued to resist, police said.
Police responding to an altercation at 100 Rinaldi Drive at about 11:30 p.m., found two men fighting on the porch, according to a criminal complaint. One of the men immediately complied with police orders to separate, but the second man, later identified as Edilson Lopes, 24, began fighting with police.
After Lopes repeatedly refused to comply with commands to get on the ground, Officer David Graham deployed a Taser and was able to take Lopes into custody.
Officers then spoke with Lopes’s father, Manuel Antonio Monteiro. Monteiro said Lopes came to the residence severely intoxicated and aggressively charged his mother, Cheila Gomez-Monteiro. When Manuel Antonio Monteiro attempted to restrain Lopes to protect Gomez-Monteiro, Lopes bit him on the top of the left shoulder, according to the complaint.
As police escorted Lopes to the police patrol car, he allegedly pulled away from officers, and repeatedly kicked Officer Graham, leaving marks on his right arm. Lopes escaped from the patrol car and officers again attempted to force him inside.
Lopes’ family came outside and tried to calm him down, but were unsuccessful. Lopes continued screaming at officers and created a nuisance in the neighborhood.
It ultimately took four officers — including assistance from the Old Forge Police Department— to force Lopes into the patrol vehicle. At police headquarters, Lopes continued to resist, violently kicking a cell toilet while shackled and in handcuffs, according to the complaint.
Lopes is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest and public drunkeness. He remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on June 17 before District Judge George Seig.