METHUEN, MASS. (WHDH) - A Methuen police officer was hospitalized after an arrested man ripped open a bag of fentanyl while he was being booked Wednesday evening, authorities said.
An officer in the area of Broadway around 4 p.m. took 28-year-old Kyle Dennis, of Methuen, into custody on three outstanding warrants, according to police.
While Dennis was being booked and processed, police say a needle fell from the area around his pants, prompting them to search his person.
That’s when he allegedly grabbed a plastic bag he had taped between his legs, ripped it open, and spread its contents around the booking area and onto Methuen police officer Patrick Waldron.
Waldron and Dennis were both taken to an area hospital.
Waldron is expected to be OK.
Dennis was released and transported to the Lawrence Police Department to be book on three warrants charging him with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, giving a false name to police, possession of a Class A substance, possessing a firearm without an FID card, improper storage of a firearm, and possessing ammunition without an FID card, police said.
Dennis is also allegedly a wanted fugitive in New Hampshire.
In addition to the warrants, Dennis is now facing additional charges of possession of a Class A substance – fentanyl, hindering a police investigating, giving a false name to police, defacement of property, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit fentanyl.
Police say he will most likely be arraigned Thursday in Lawrence District Court.
The cell block where the incident took place was cordoned off and any other suspects who were arrested by Methuen police were diverted to other departments until the area is properly cleaned, police said.
Waldron is a decorated police officer who was commended last summer for saving the life of a 64-year-old resident who had suffered a medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest.
“This incident highlights the dangers our police officers face every day, even inside the confines of their own police station, at the hands of desperate, dangerous individuals,” Mayor James Jajuga said in a statement. “Tonight, a career criminal knowingly put the lives of our officers in danger.”
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