WYANDOTTE (WXYZ) — "Police officers should not be punched because they are here to protect us," said Mike Mazloum who was one of a number of people who saw a Wyandotte police officer suddenly get punched by a man on Maple Street.
Wyandotte Police arrested John Calderone, 49, after he allegedly assaulted the police officer and tried to disarm him in what started as a simple parking violation.
Police and witnesses said Calderone was hostile and belligerent when he was told he wasn't allowed to park in a certain area marked by the city with an orange cone because the manhole was sinking.
Police said the officer tried to calm Calderone down, but he was hostile, continued to shout, and refused to hand over his identification.
The officer reportedly told Calderone that he didn't want to "turn a simple parking ticket into an arrest," but Calderone refused to calm down or provide identification and he shouted expletives at the officer.
"F*** you. I'm not giving you s***," Calderone reportedly shouted.
The officer said Calderone then appeared to comply with the arrest, but suddenly "spun around and punched me in the jaw with a closed fist."
Calderone allegedly began grabbing for the officer's gun and continued to assault him until witnesses rushed to help, and the officer was able to retrieve his pepper spray and deliver a short burst to Calderone's face.
Another officer arrived to help secure Calderone, who now faces two felonies including assault on a police officer.
The officer sustained injuries to his jaw and knee.
Calderone's bond has been set at $250,000 cash or surety.
"His actions were irrational," said Wyandotte Police Deputy Police Chief Archie Hamilton. "It was a parking violation. A very minor infraction," he said. "Instead, it escalated to some serious felony charges."
