SUTTON — A family of five from Lyndonville and Sutton were arrested Monday after attacking two police officers outside a New Hampshire amusement park. The family is reported to have become angry after being told they couldn’t bring knives into the park.
At around 1:30 p.m., the group was asked by security staff at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire, that they had to put the knives they were carrying on their belts back inside their vehicle. They were informed that they could not bring them into the park for the safety of other guests.
According to police, several members of the family became “extremely belligerent.” Two Salem officers working at the park were called to the front gate.
One of the family members, identified as Joshua Perry, started yelling profanities in front of guests, includingn children. After several warnings, he was told that he was being placed under arrest.
While attempting to handcuff him, police say Perry became combative toward the arresting officer.
Several other family members then attacked both officers, jumping on their backs, punching and kicking them and grabbing for their weapons. During the attack, other family members were yelling profanities at the officers.
The officers radioed for assistance and numerous Salem police arrived and were able to get the situation under control.
Once the backup officers arrived, police said the mother of the family faked a seizure. She was looked at by Salem Fire Department paramedics and released at the scene.
Five family members were taken into custody on numerous charges. They include:
Joshua Perry, 23, of Sutton, Vermont – charged with riot, resisting arrest with serious injury, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
Brian Perry, 18, of Lyndonville, Vermont – charged with riot, simple assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.
E. Allan Perry, 45, of Lyndon, Vermont – charged with riot, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, second degree assault and criminal trespass.
Damian Perry, 18, of Lyndonville, Vermont – charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.
Ashley Perry, 20, of Sutton, Vermont – charged with disorderly conduct.
Salem Police said one officer sustained bumps, bruises, cuts and scrapes, while the other sustained a serious shoulder injury and had to be taken by ambulance. He was treated and released later in the day.
Canobie Lake Park issued the following statement today:
“On June 16, 2014 at approximately 1:30pm, Canobie Lake Park Security Officers and on-duty Salem Police Officers responded to an incident taking place outside of the Park’s main entrance gates. While passing through a security bag check, it was discovered that a guest possessed a restricted item. The guest became unruly and the situation quickly escalated resulting in a physical altercation. Our immediate concern is for the officers that were injured during this event. At no time were any guests in danger. The Park considers this a police matter and we ask that all further inquiries or requests for interview be directed to the Salem Police Department.”
