WEBSTER — Webster police arrested a man Thursday night after responding to a reported break-in, later finding he had allegedly tampered with a home’s gas system and assaulted an officer during transport.
Officers responded to a Deslaurier Avenue residence at approximately 7:11 p.m. after a homeowner reported seeing a man break into his home on security cameras, according to police.
Officer Spencer Donovan saw the suspect walking away from the scene carrying items and approached him.
The man, later identified as Jeremy Ouellette, 43, of Dudley, became confrontational, police said.
Detective Tim Whiting and Officer Thomas Motyka arrived to assist, and officers placed Ouellette in handcuffs after a brief struggle.
Police said they found stolen items on Ouellette and discovered that the residence had been broken into.
Investigators also smelled a strong odor of natural gas inside.
Authorities determined that Ouellette had turned on all burners of the home’s gas stove and vandalized a gas vent in the basement.
The Webster Fire Department and National Grid were called to the scene to render it safe.
Ouellette asked to be evaluated at a hospital while in custody, and Webster EMS responded to transport him.
During the ambulance ride, EMS personnel pulled over and requested police assistance.
Officers Cedeno and Trinque entered the ambulance, and Ouellette allegedly pushed Cedeno, causing her to fall about four feet onto the ground.
Cedeno then deployed her taser, and officers secured Ouellette to the stretcher with handcuffs, police said.
Ouellette also allegedly damaged a holding cell window at the Webster Police Department after his transport.
He was arraigned the following day in Dudley District Court on multiple charges, including breaking and entering in the nighttime for a felony, attempted arson, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, larceny from a building, and vandalism.
At the time of the incident, Ouellette was on probation for prior charges including burglary, vandalism, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
