By John Nickerson
Staff Writer
March 20, 2007
NORWALK -- A Stamford firefighter was arrested at his Norwalk home for allegedly dragging a city man out of his car and beating him following a road rage incident Monday night.
Christopher Ormond, 39, of 84 Strawberry Hill Ave., Norwalk, was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace and reckless driving following the early evening incident that occurred near his home on Strawberry Hill. Ormond was released yesterday morning after posting $10,000 bond.
The incident apparently began on Winfield Street when Ormond, while driving his red Ford Explorer, slammed on his brakes while being followed by a motorist, the trailing driver told police.
After Ormond slammed his brakes twice more, the motorist passed him, only to be closely followed, overtaken and finally cut off and stopped by Ormond when the two reached the corner of Strawberry Hill and King Street, the man told police.
Ormond got out of the Explorer and told the driver to roll down his window. When the man refused, Ormond opened the door and grabbed the 33-year-old driver by the neck and began punching his head, the man said.
The man apologized and Ormond got back into his car and left. The victim then called police at 7:45 p.m. to report the incident, giving police the license plate of the Explorer and a detailed description of Ormond. The man said he did not want Ormond to find out who he was for fear that he would be beaten again.
Police traced the vehicle to Ormond's home, but no one answered the door when police went to his home, said police spokesman Lt. Paul Resnick.
Ormond was then instructed by phone to go to police headquarters to talk to someone about the incident, but he refused, saying he would call his lawyer.
When police went to his home, Ormond asked the police officer, "What do you want pal?"
Ormond then told the officer he was a Stamford firefighter and he should "be treated with courtesy," and he pays $7,000 in taxes every year to the city, Resnick said. When questioned about the incident, Ormond said he was cut off by a motorist earlier in the evening.
Ormond began yelling and screaming and demeaning the police officer, Resnick said.
Police said Ormond yelled so much that his breathing became labored, apparently triggering an asthma condition. Ormond was then taken to Norwalk Hospital, where he continued his tirade by swearing at the officer and nurses and acting in a threatening way, Resnick said. Ormond did not return a call made to his home for comment.
Ormond was treated and taken to police headquarters and held on $10,000 bond.
Ormond is scheduled for arraignment at state Superior Court in Norwalk early next month.
Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.