Eric Doutt, an Arnold police sergeant, the
city's former chief and a member of the New Kensington-Arnold School Board, has
been charged with assaulting a fellow officer.
State police filed simple assault and other charges Tuesday against Doutt, stemming from a domestic incident on May 11 at his Woodmont Avenue home.
According to the criminal charges affidavit, Doutt and his wife, Karen, were engaged in a verbal domestic dispute shortly before 1 a.m. when she called Westmoreland 9-1-1, which dispatched Arnold officers to the home.
Arnold Sgt. Michael Ondo and Off. David Crouse attempted to defuse the situation, the affidavit states, but Karen Doutt allegedly slapped her husband in the head. The officers then arrested and handcuffed her, placing her in the back of a police car. Doutt allegedly demanded his wife's release and went to the police car.
"Against Officer Crouse's orders, Eric Doutt opened the rear door ... and pulled Karen Doutt from the rear seat," states the affidavit, filed by state police Tpr. Robert Depew. "At this point, Officer Crouse grabbed Karen Doutt's left arm and Eric Doutt had her right arm."
Ondo then came to assist and "Eric Doutt then shoved Officer Crouse in the chest with his right hand and pushed Crouse away Karen, the affidavit said.
Karen Doutt, 43, was eventually released from custody. Doutt, 43, also was not taken into custody at the time. Arnold police Chief Willie Weber came to the scene and contacted state police to take over the investigation.
Weber declined comment this morning.
In addition to the simple assault charge, Eric Doutt is charged with obstructing a police officer, hindering apprehension of a suspect and harassment. Karen Doutt is charged with simple assault for allegedly striking her husband and harassment.
The charges will be mailed to the Doutts and they will have to turn themselves into authorities at a later date.
Doutt's status with the Arnold Police could not be immediately determined, however, he was on duty this morning.
State police filed simple assault and other charges Tuesday against Doutt, stemming from a domestic incident on May 11 at his Woodmont Avenue home.
According to the criminal charges affidavit, Doutt and his wife, Karen, were engaged in a verbal domestic dispute shortly before 1 a.m. when she called Westmoreland 9-1-1, which dispatched Arnold officers to the home.
Arnold Sgt. Michael Ondo and Off. David Crouse attempted to defuse the situation, the affidavit states, but Karen Doutt allegedly slapped her husband in the head. The officers then arrested and handcuffed her, placing her in the back of a police car. Doutt allegedly demanded his wife's release and went to the police car.
"Against Officer Crouse's orders, Eric Doutt opened the rear door ... and pulled Karen Doutt from the rear seat," states the affidavit, filed by state police Tpr. Robert Depew. "At this point, Officer Crouse grabbed Karen Doutt's left arm and Eric Doutt had her right arm."
Ondo then came to assist and "Eric Doutt then shoved Officer Crouse in the chest with his right hand and pushed Crouse away Karen, the affidavit said.
Karen Doutt, 43, was eventually released from custody. Doutt, 43, also was not taken into custody at the time. Arnold police Chief Willie Weber came to the scene and contacted state police to take over the investigation.
Weber declined comment this morning.
In addition to the simple assault charge, Eric Doutt is charged with obstructing a police officer, hindering apprehension of a suspect and harassment. Karen Doutt is charged with simple assault for allegedly striking her husband and harassment.
The charges will be mailed to the Doutts and they will have to turn themselves into authorities at a later date.
Doutt's status with the Arnold Police could not be immediately determined, however, he was on duty this morning.