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Waltham Police Chief Held on Assault Charges; In Hospital [UPDATED]

Acting chief named to run police department.

 

UPDATED, 2:37 p.m. with information from arraignment hearing: Waltham Police Thomas LaCroix was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on charges that he allegedly struck his wife, according to a pool reporter.

LaCroix was arraigned at his hospital bed in the intensive care unit at Emerson Hospital at around 1 p.m.

LaCroix is scheduled for a 2 p.m. dangerousness hearing on Tuesday, June 19, according to Boston Herald reporter Matt Stout, the only reporter allowed in the room during the hearing. Stout then shared the information with other media outlets. 

The arrest stems from two seperare incidents that occured on Tuesday, June 12, according to Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Kontz, the prosecutor in the case who briefed the media after the hearing. The first incident began when LaCroix allegedly got into a dispute with his wife during which she suffered injuries, according to Kontz. The wife then went to a friends house and the pair later returned to LaCroix's home where another dispute erupted, according to Kontz. The incident was alter reported to police and LaCroix was later arrested. 

According to the Boston Herald, LaCroix used a bike rack and countertop as dangerous weapons. 

Reporters were originally told that a television camera would be allowed into the hearing, but were later told that the judge deferred to the hospital on whether the camera would be allowed. The hospital decided to bar the camera.

UPDATED, 11:30 a.m.: Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix remains at Emerson Hospital in Concord where he is being evaluated, according to his attorney, Peter Bella.

LaCroix is scheduled to be arraigned in his hospital room later today, according to the judge. 

Bella spoke to reporters after a brief hearing at Concord District Court this morning. 

"He is doing well right now," Bella said, adding LaCroix is undergoing stress tests after experiencing chest and stomach issues. "He was under some stress. He is doing fine now." 

Bella said the chief is not suicidal, but has been told LaCroix did previously express suicidal thoughts.

Officially, the LaCroix faces two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault and battery, one count of assault and one count of threatening a witness, according to DA spokeswoman Stephanie Guyotte. 

LaCroix has been placed on leave with pay, according to Mayor Jeanette McCarthy. His police gear and department-issued firearm have been taken from him, she said. 

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Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix was arrested at his Maynard home Thursday night on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to the Boston Herald.

LaCroix is scheduled to be arraigned in Concord District Court Friday morning. He is also facing charges of assault and battery and witness intimidation.

Waltham Mayor Jeanette McCarthy said in an email to Waltham Patch that she has appointed Deputy Chief Keith MacPherson as the Acting Chief. Mayor McCarthy referred all inquiries on the matter to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. The office could not immediately be reached for comment. 

Related Topics: Thomas LaCroix and Waltham Police Chief Arrested

Mike Jensen

6:27 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012

That's one hearing I'm taking the day off to see.

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B.Mac

3:41 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012

From the looks of it. It's gonna be another blue line cover up. It don't matter who you are the chief of Police,The President. There's no excuse for domestic abuse.
If you cant control your own personal life. While also being a "public servant"...Than how are you really handling the public when their is such clear lack of control over emotions. Not too out weigh the good hes done but Get Real. Not even the cops are as above the law as they would like to believe. The badge doesn't give any cop or human being the right to disrespect their spouse or any one for that matter. What is it with men in massachusetts hating on there loyal women so much . Cop or Not this is a most disturbing and unconscionable trend That has been alive since racism. And too many women die at the hands of the men that "love them" ..Id rather stay single till i die..At least i wont beat myself for not making the bed or whatever lame reason accompanies his Excuse. Give me a southern man any day..A greater percentage of them Respect their women.
And don't use a punch in the eye to say "i love you!" Then flowers later for the ULTIMATE DIS ! in the aftermath....

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NANCY

7:58 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012

I think the Chief needs anger management. A real man doesn't beat his wife. My advice--walk away. Women can forgive, but they never forget. You crossed the line Chief.

Reply

suecalish

4:47 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

anger,mgmt,needed,,,a,dangerous,man,donot.rehire.

Reply

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