Bethlehem police were forced to shackle and restrain a New York City man after he became violent towards officers as they attempted to arrest him.
According to Lehigh Valley Live, Jose Daniel Morales was allegedly intoxicated Thursday night when he tried to start a fight with a visitor at his family home. His younger sister and his mother Elena Rivera said he was yelling that he was going to “kill everyone in their sleep.”
Police were called to the Manhattan home when it was reported that there was a domestic disturbance in progress. When officers informed Morales that he was under arrest, he protested stating he was not going to cooperate with police unless they fought him first. Police records indicated that Morales then began punching himself in the face.
As officers attempted to handcuff Morales, he began cursing at them and swinging his arms and legs to prevent them for cuffing him. Even as four officers worked together to subdue him, Morales continued to break free by shaking his body and kicking his legs.
Finally, as Morales began spitting at police, three officers were able to handcuff him and place him in a spit hood, shackle him and restrain him on a stretcher. Officer Michael Koblish sustained a headbutt, causing his lip to bleed.
Lehigh Valley Live reported that Morales was arraigned at 2:15 a.m. on Friday morning. He has been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment. He is being held in jail, in lieu of the $75,000 bail set by District Judge Richard Yetter.
