Monday, January 11, 2010

Officer Brian Decker Fired for Punching Clerk

The former township police officer fired for allegedly punching a Wawa clerk in the face last month is free on $25,000 unsecured bail after being officially charged today with assault.

Brian Decker, 33, was released from an undisclosed treatment facility Saturday morning and was transported to Ridley District Court by a relative. At 8:54 a.m., accompanied by his attorney S. Stanton Miller, Decker was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of simple assault and terroristic threats, and harassment, a summary offense.

The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by detectives from the Delaware County District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit.

Magisterial District Judge Anthony D. Scanlon set bail and Decker was released to the unnamed relative pending a preliminary hearing before Scanlon Jan. 14 in Springfield District Court.

Decker was off-duty at 4:33 p.m. Dec. 15 when he allegedly assaulted Monique Bronson, an assistant manager at the Wawa Food Market at 213 Morton Ave. in Folsom. The former police officer allegedly became enraged when Bronson asked him for identification during a chewing tobacco purchase.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Decker refused to show identification or leave the store. Bronson told investigators she offered to go into the storeroom with Decker and another employee to discuss the situation. While there, Decker struck her in the head and face several times with a closed fist, the affidavit states. Bronson and a customer called 911.

Bronson was treated at Riddle Memorial Hospital for a black eye and contusions.

Shortly after the incident, Bronson gave police a statement saying that Decker had threatened her, saying, “You better watch your back,” according to the affidavit. When she asked if he was threatening her, Decker allegedly replied, “Take it any way you want it. You will be out of here soon, you and your family better watch your back”

Bronson told investigators she had two previous run-ins with Decker when she asked for identification — one in June and another in late November/early December, according to the affidavit. Both times, she alleged, Decker yelled and became agitated when asked for identification.

Hours after the incident, Decker’s gun and badge were confiscated. The married father of two was fired from the force days later.

Ridley Police Capt. Charles Howley Decker’s alleged behavior would not be tolerated, adding that it was “a sad day for Ridley Township police.”

Howley added that Decker had some personal problems, but declined to elaborate.

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