Three officers injured trying to subdue a man in St. Catharines street brawl

An early morning brawl in downtown St. Catharines saw three Niagara Police officers injured as they tried to break it up.

At 12:10 am on June 1, police responded to a report of an unwanted male and disturbance in Helliwells Lane and St. Paul Street area. They arrived to the scene of a large fight.

Witnesses quickly pointed out the male instigator and as the officers tried to arrest, the male “began to violently thrash about and resist arrest.”

After a lengthy and violent struggle, officers were able to get him on the ground and handcuff him. One of the officers was headbutted in the face, another was cut after being struck in the face and the third officer suffered cuts to their hand and body, though they reported all the injuries were minor.

A search of the man following his arrest found suspected cocaine and methamphetamine in his pockets.

Bronson Michael Perna, 33, of St. Catharines has been charged with causing a disturbance, resisting arrest, three count of assaulting a peace officer and two counts of drug possession.

He was held in custody for a video bail hearing at the courthouse in St. Catharines today (June 1).

Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to contact officers at 905-688-4111, extension 1024233.