Routine traffic stop in Niagara Falls takes a weird turn when bystander assaults two police officers

A routine traffic stop in Niagara Falls took a bizarre twist yesterday (October 6) when an unconnected bystander got involved and assaulted two Niagara Police officers.

Just past 8:30 pm, a cruiser pulled over a car to investigate a potential drunk driver in the Lundy’s Lane and Kalar Road area.

With the officer standing at the side of the road with the driver, an unknown man began to video the pair, yelling and swearing.

The officer told him he was obstructing an investigation and told him to back up. With that, the man spat in the cop’s face. He was then told he was under arrest but he struggled enough to get away and continue to walk to a nearby plaza.

When the officer quickly got some back-up, the man was grabbed and handcuffed. While they struggled to get him in the back of a cruiser, they eventually did. At that point, he began kicking the door in an effort to prevent it from being closed.

At that point, he kicked another officer in the chest. Soon, they had the door closed and he was instantly taken to the Niagara Police Prisoner Management Unit in Niagara Falls.

Neither officer was injured.

William Bradley Prentice, 45, of Niagara Falls has been charged with obstructing a police officer, two counts of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and breach of probation.

He was held in custody to attend a video bail hearing at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines today (October 7).

Anyone with information about this incident can contact officers at 905-688-4111, extension 1022200.