Police Release Body-Cam Footage To Combat Misinformation From Viral Video

Police have released a video of the arrest of an armed drug dealer who refused to let them put him in handcuffs.

Several officers were involved in the arrest of James Thomas, 37, after getting a call reporting that the man was loading a gun in broad daylight in Waterbury in Connecticut.

The decision was made after a social media video attracted widespread criticism for the large numbers of officers needed to arrest a single man.

In a statement obtained by Newsflash Waterbury Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) confirmed that they had received the report and spotted Thomas as a person matching the description, and also recognised him as somebody matching the description of earlier shots fired in the city.

Officers approached Thomas to further investigate the weapons complaint and he "immediately became uncooperative and physically combative".

They said: "He refused verbal commands to show his hands and resisted officers’ efforts to take him into custody.

"Thomas was continually trying to place his hands in his waistband area while resisting the officers.

"Once Thomas was taken into police custody and searched, officers located a loaded Smith and Wesson 9MM Pistol tucked inside Thomas’ waistband area with a high capacity magazine containing 11 rounds of ammunition and an additional high capacity magazine containing 30 rounds of ammunition.

"Thomas was also found to be in possession of 1,458 bags of heroin along with 140 grams of raw heroin."

The arrested man was given medical treatment at the scene and then taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital for further treatment and a police officer was injured in the arrest was also treated in hospital.

They add: "Thomas did not possess a valid State of Connecticut Pistol Permit and had a previous conviction for Assault 3rd which is considered to be a disqualifying offense to own and carry firearms.

"Thomas was placed under arrest for the following offenses: Breach of Peace 2nd Degree, Interfering with Police, Criminal Possession of a Pistol, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Sale / Transfer of a Pistol, Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine and Possession of an Ounce or more of Heroin. No bond has been set as of this time."

WPD Chief Fernando Spagnoloa added: "We are grateful that someone stepped up and alerted the WPD of this dangerous threat to our community, which enabled officers to quickly respond and remove another illegally possessed loaded firearm and high capacity magazines off our streets. This incident is another great example of our community working together with the police to keep everyone safe.”