Man tasered, arrested after officers assaulted in St. Catharines

Police say an individual has been charged after a man refused to leave an establishment in St. Catharines earlier Monday morning. 

At about 1:30 a.m., Niagara Regional Police officers responded to a business in the area of St. Paul Street and James Street for an "unwanted person" call.

Investigation revealed a man was threatening female employees and customers. Officers informed the man he was required to leave the premises, which in turn "caused the male to be assaultive toward officers without provocation," police said in a news release.

Officers attempted to gain control of the man, however he continued to fight officers and resisted arrest, police say.

"After multiple deployments of a conductive energy weapon (Taser), officers eventually were able to place the male under arrest," police said.

The officers suffered minor injuries. 

Melville R. Jarrett, 59, of St. Catharines, was arrested and charged with:

• Assault a Peace Officer (2 Counts)
• Resist Arrest
• Fail to Leave Premises when Directed

Jarrett was held in custody pending a bail hearing at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.

None of the allegation have been tested in court and Jarrett is considered innocent unless proven guilty.