Officers in East Vincent, West Pottsgrove assaulted

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 

In the past month, two townships have had police officers assaulted while on duty, according to court reports.
On Feb. 28, an East Vincent officer was allegedly assaulted by a man who was trying to get close to downed power lines.
While sitting in a patrol car on Bonnie Brae Road around 7:30 p.m., the officer saw David Brennan, who turned 39 that day, walking toward him.
According to the officer, he approached Brennan and told him the road was closed to which Brennan replied, “You are not a police officer and have no right to close the road,” - despite the officer being in full uniform.
Brennan allegedly kept walking toward the power lines and kept shouting at the officer, “Let’s go. You can’t be back here.”
The officer was able to grab a hold of Brennan’s jacket in an attempt to stop him, but Brennan turned around, allegedly punched the officer in the right eye, before both men fell to the ground.
Brennan fell on top of the officer and allegedly proceeded to punch him several more times, police said. After a struggle, the officer was able to get up but Brennan allegedly hit him in the back of the head.
According to police, the officer was able to call for back up and while waiting had to deploy his stun gun.
At that point, the officer was able to arrest Brennan, police said.
Brennan was charged with simple assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, according to court documents.
He was arraigned on March 1 and is confined to the Chester County Prison in lieu of $50,000. He is expected in the Chester County Courthouse on March 27 at 9:30 a.m.
On March 15, a West Pottsgrove officer was allegedly assaulted while he serving an arrest warrant for Charles Dandridge Jr.
Around 5:10 p.m., the officer arrived at Dandridge’s apartment in the 300 block of Ash Street but he was not home, police said.
When the officer was leaving, he saw Dandridge walking on Grosstown Road, police said. Two other officers were notified that Dandridge was walking around and all three were looking for him, police said.
One officer made contact with Dandridge, who refused to cooperate with instructions. When the officer attempted to put handcuffs on Dandridge, he allegedly struck the officer in the face with his fist, police said.
Dandridge was allegedly running on Grosstown Road through oncoming traffic, police said. He was caught by police on W. Race Street near Grosstown Road.
Although the officer had his stun gun out, he did not use it, police said.
Dandridge was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, according to court documents.
He is confined to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $20,000 bail. He is expected in court again on March 28 at 9 a.m.