Newport man charged with attacking Burlington police officer

NEWPORT — A Newport resident was arrested in Burlington after police say he attacked an officer at the downtown bus terminal.

Burlington dispatch received calls about a disturbance at the Downtown Transit Terminal on Cherry Street yesterday at around 6:00 p.m.

Witnesses told police that a passenger attacked the driver.

The first officer on the scene identified the suspect as David Perry, 39, outside the bus trying to break back into the bus.

Perry allegedly charged the officer.

The officer deployed a taser, but say it had no effect.

Perry attacked and assaulted the officer, and at some point, during the encounter, the officer’s leg was seriously injured.

Several citizens in the vicinity of the bus stop interceded to help the officer and also struggled with Perry.

Additional officers arrived and took Perry into custody.

One of those officers was injured as well.

Perry was charged with assault and released on $5,000 cash bail with conditions.