Man challenges officer to fist fight after he was told to dump his beer
Robert Drake, who had a cast on his left arm, proceeded to swear at Officer Cody Healy and challenged him to a fight. Drake allegedly took a “boxers stance” and moved toward Officer Healy, who felt he was about to be assaulted, so he thwarted Drake’s efforts by pushing him away with his open hand.
MANCHESTER, NH – A man with one arm in a cast allegedly challenged a police officer to a fist fight Friday night, then threatened to hurt him next time he saw him, off the clock.
Robert Drake, 29, and his friend Raymond Lavigne, also 29, both of Manchester, were arrested by Manchester Police on Dec. 18.
The incident began when Officers Matthew McDonald and Cody Healy observed two men walking in the middle of Maple Street at 8:05 p.m. Dec. 18 while on patrol, allegedly consuming alcohol as they walked toward Hayward Street. Officers attempted to stop the men, but they initially refused and continued walking away from the officers.
One of the men, Robert Drake, 29, walked toward Officer Healy while his friend, Raymond Lavigne, 29, continued to slowly walk away from the two officers. Officer Healy asked Drake to discard the contents of his beer. Instead, Drake threw both his beer and his hat to the ground before removing his jacket.
Drake, who had a cast on his left arm, then proceeded to swear at Officer Healy and challenged him to a fight. Drake allegedly took a “boxers stance” and moved toward Officer Healy, who felt he was about to be assaulted, so he thwarted Drake’s efforts by pushing him away with his open hand. Officer Healy was able to gain control of Drake and get him on the ground and into handcuffs. Lavigne continued to act disorderly as the arrest took place. Drake allegedly threatened to harm the officers if he saw them when they were off duty, so he was also charged with criminal threatening.
Officer Rob Megowen arrived on scene and gave Lavigne multiple opportunities to vacate the area. Lavigne continued yelling and swearing at the officers, so he was placed into custody and charged with disorderly conduct. He was released on $500 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on January 21.
Officer Healy charged Drake with resisting arrest, criminal threatening and violation of bail conditions. He appeared in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on December 21.
