Acushnet Police Department Press Release
On Saturday, July 4, 2020, at approximately 11:46 p.m., Acushnet Police were dispatched to the area of 21 Nye’s Lane for fireworks being lit off in the area. The first responding officer located the source of the complaint.
As the officer was concluding his investigation and speaking with the homeowner, a male guest at the residence became belligerent. The 35-year-old man appeared intoxicated and was slurring his speech as he screamed and yelled. He began approaching the officer in a threatening manner and was initially held back by family members. He was able to quickly break loose and charge at the officer.
The male then grabbed hold of the officer’s shirt. The officer tried to create distance by pushing the male away but both individuals fell to the ground. During the struggle on the ground, the male struck the officer with a closed fist at least four times in the face and head and, at one point was grabbing at the officer’s holstered firearm.
Despite this, the officer was able to maintain his composure and radio for assistance before his radio microphone came detached in the struggle. Several family members attempted to intervene to assist the officer. The officer eventually was able to regain some control over the male and kept him pinned down for the 2-3 minutes it took for the first back-up officer to arrive. Even then, the male continued to violently resist before officers were able to get him handcuffed. The male then began spitting at officers.
Arrested was Robert D. Nobrega DOB 2/5/1985, of 80 Blueberry Terrance, New Bedford. Nobrega is being charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Disturbing the Peace, Disorderly Conduct, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (to wit: spit).
The involved officer was evaluated by paramedics from the Acushnet Fire & Rescue Department but declined transport to the hospital and remained on duty.
Nobrega continued his behavior and spit in the cruiser he was transported in as well as the booking area at the Acushnet Police Department. Once the booking process was done, Nobrega was transported to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Regional Lockup on Ash Street in New Bedford pending bail. He was expected to be arraigned on Monday, July 6, 2020. A 24-hour biohazard cleanup company had to be contacted to respond to clean and decontaminate the affected areas.
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