Haverstraw Man Charged With Drunkenly Assaulting Police Officer, EMT

WEST NYACK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Haverstraw man has been arrested and charged after police said he went on a drunken tirade that injured a police officer and an emergency medical technician.

According to the Clarkstown Police Department, officers were called to the Palisades Mall in West Nyack on Tuesday for reports of a drunk and disorderly man at around 6 p.m.

Police said upon arrival, officers encountered 31-year-old Daniel McCormack, who appeared intoxicated and was irate at the response of the police.

While the officers tried to subdue McCormack, police said he head butted an officer and tried to run off. McCormack was then restrained and placed under arrest.

The officer who was attacked did not need medical attention, police said.

Authorities said McCormack remained aggressive en route to police headquarters as well as while being placed in a cell. They said officers were forced to use pepper spray to stop him from possibly hurting himself.

Due to McCormack's irate behavior, police said it was decided he needed to be taken to Nyack Hospital to be subdued.

While being taken to the hospital in a New City Volunteer Ambulance, authorities said he grabbed an EMT's hand and fingers, trying to bend them back, causing injury to the EMT. A police officer riding with the ambulance was able to stop McCormack, but the 35-year-old EMT needed treatment for a minor hand injury, police said.

McCormack was charged with several counts of assault, obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and harassment. He was arraigned at Clarkstown Justice Court and bail was set at $50,000. He is due back in court on April 6.