A Fort Wayne police officer was arrested Wednesday outside a Roanoke bar after sheriff’s officers said he beat his girlfriend and tried to choke her.
Craig Dennis, who has been a city police officer since 2001, was taken to the Huntington County Jail on a misdemeanor battery charge. He posted a $5,000 bond.
Huntington County sheriff’s deputies were called to Lock No. 4 at 4162 E. Station Road in Roanoke early Wednesday to investigate allegations an off-duty Fort Wayne police officer was causing a disturbance, a report said.
Dennis, 30, told a sheriff’s deputy he was “sucker punched” by another bar patron after a scuffle broke out. Dennis’ girlfriend then got into another man’s car, which upset Dennis, the report said.
She told police she and Dennis had a few drinks at the bar, after which Dennis became upset and began to get physical with her in the bar.
At one point Dennis clasped his hands around her throat and threatened to kill her, she told deputies.
The woman also told deputies that Dennis, her boyfriend of two years, had become physical with her on other occasions but promised “that it will not happen again,” the report said.
Four eyewitnesses signed statements verifying they saw Dennis become abusive at the bar, court records state.
Dennis, who is a patrol officer on the city’s northwest side, was suspended twice this year.
On one occasion, he violated the department’s sick-leave policy. On a second occasion, he was absent without leave, according to department records.
In both 2003 and 2008, Dennis received letters of reprimand for police vehicle crashes.
In 2008, he received a reprimand for submission of reports, according to department records.
Dennis received an award of excellence in 2002.
Police Chief Rusty York said Dennis was placed on paid leave Thursday.
“We will be taking his status up with the board of safety at their next meeting,” York said. “We will wait and follow that investigation and pretty much base where we go from there.”
That meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5.
Dennis faces up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted of the misdemeanor battery charge.
Craig Dennis, who has been a city police officer since 2001, was taken to the Huntington County Jail on a misdemeanor battery charge. He posted a $5,000 bond.
Huntington County sheriff’s deputies were called to Lock No. 4 at 4162 E. Station Road in Roanoke early Wednesday to investigate allegations an off-duty Fort Wayne police officer was causing a disturbance, a report said.
Dennis, 30, told a sheriff’s deputy he was “sucker punched” by another bar patron after a scuffle broke out. Dennis’ girlfriend then got into another man’s car, which upset Dennis, the report said.
She told police she and Dennis had a few drinks at the bar, after which Dennis became upset and began to get physical with her in the bar.
At one point Dennis clasped his hands around her throat and threatened to kill her, she told deputies.
The woman also told deputies that Dennis, her boyfriend of two years, had become physical with her on other occasions but promised “that it will not happen again,” the report said.
Four eyewitnesses signed statements verifying they saw Dennis become abusive at the bar, court records state.
Dennis, who is a patrol officer on the city’s northwest side, was suspended twice this year.
On one occasion, he violated the department’s sick-leave policy. On a second occasion, he was absent without leave, according to department records.
In both 2003 and 2008, Dennis received letters of reprimand for police vehicle crashes.
In 2008, he received a reprimand for submission of reports, according to department records.
Dennis received an award of excellence in 2002.
Police Chief Rusty York said Dennis was placed on paid leave Thursday.
“We will be taking his status up with the board of safety at their next meeting,” York said. “We will wait and follow that investigation and pretty much base where we go from there.”
That meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5.
Dennis faces up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted of the misdemeanor battery charge.
4 comments:
I know Craig and there's more to the story I'm sure. He's a good guy and he just fucked up I guess. Stop drinking Craig, I love you bro!
Ian
Of course there is more to the story, I guess when people are called out for cheating and lying to their girlfriend by other bar patrons it gives them the right choke her. Craig did not have to go to jail that night. He was asked several times to leave before the cops were called. I guess he simply felt above the law or maybe she had let him get away with his behavior to many times before.
I'm not excusing his actions at all. He needs to stop drinking, that's all. I still stand firm that he's a really good guy without the alcohol.
Ian
Wow! I was shocked to read that Craig was arrested for choking his girlfriend. The Craig I knew never displayed that type of behavior. Perhaps it is the booze or perhaps it is the girl....either way it could cost him his job. I hope it was worth it. Nevertheless, I wish him the well!
-C
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