Man facing charges after tussle with police officer at McDonald’s

A Middletown man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly assaulted a police officer inside a Franklin McDonald’s.

Chester R. Nichols, 39, of Wilbraham Road, was arraigned Tuesday in Franklin Municipal Court and was charged with assault on a safety officer, a fourth-degree felony; obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony; and possession of drug abuse instruments, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Franklin Police Officer Patrick Holland was dispatched at 9:33 p.m. Friday to the McDonald’s restaurant, 1425 E. Second St., to check on a report of a man possibly overdosing. During Holland’s investigation, Nichols attempted to flee.

Police Chief Russell Whitman said Nichols ripped the officer’s Taser and holster from his vest and struck the officer several times. Nichols also allegedly tried to grab the officer’s handgun from his holster.

Two McDonald’s customers and two Franklin EMS medics jumped into the fray to assist the officer, according to Whitman.

Police found three syringes and an off-white small rock in Nichols’ possession, according to the police report.

Nichols was taken to a local hospital for facial injuries and was treated and released before being taken to the Warren County Jail.

The police officer was also taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released for a bruised hand.

Nichols is being held in the Warren County Jail under a $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing was set for 4 p.m. Nov. 27.

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