Crime & Safety
Haverhill Man Accused Of Spitting On Hampton Officers
A Haverhill, MA man was accused of driving while intoxicated which led to multiple other charges
HAMPTON, NH - On June 26, 2020 at approximately 12:40am, officers from the Hampton Police Department observed a vehicle traveling at an unsafe, high rate of speed on Ashworth Avenue.
HPD Lieutenant Alex Reno said officers conducted a motor vehicle stop and identified the operator as: Christopher Zielinski, 36 Haverhill, MA Upon investigating the motor vehicle operation, officers formed the opinion that Zielinski was under the influence of alcohol and advised him that he was under arrest.
Lt Reno says Zielinski became uncooperative and refused to exit his vehicle forcing officers to remove him. After officers removed him from the vehicle, Zielinski resisted being handcuffed. Zielinski was eventually handcuffed and placed in the rear of a patrol car where he began violently kicking the center partition.
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As an officer passed by the open rear window of the cruiser, Zielinski spit at the officer, hitting him in the side of the face and the eye with saliva. Zielinski was transported to the police department for booking. At the police department, Zielinski reported to officers that he had recently tested positive for COVID19, causing the officer who was spit on to be in fear that he was now potentially infected.
Later investigation proved this claim to be false. While in the booking area of the police department, Zielinski caused extensive damage to the interior of the booking room.
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A criminal history check also revealed that Zielinski was a convicted felon. At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in possession of a knife. Zielinski was ultimately charged with DWI, Speed, Resisting Arrest, Assault by Prisoner, Simple Assault, Criminal Mischief (felony), and Felon in Possession of a Deadly Weapon.
Zielinski was transported to the Portsmouth Regional Hospital for evaluation and testing. He was released and transported to the Rockingham County Jail where he was held without bail pending arraignment at the Rockingham County Superior Court.
Information for this article was derived from a press release issued by Hampton, NH Police