Wanted felon arrested in Webster

WEBSTER - On Sunday, January 2, 2012 Webster Police Officer responded to 6-8 Crown Street, Apartment 2L for a report that a wanted felon, Ryan Hassett, was at that address. Officers previously responded to this address on December 28 after witnesses observed Mr. Hassett conduct a "smash and grab" of three pocketbooks out of a vehicle at the Dunkin Donuts on Main Street in Webster.

Mr. Hassett was wanted for three outstanding Massachusetts felony warrants and one Massachusetts misdemeanor warrant as well as a warrant out of the State of Connecticut. He was also wanted by the Webster Police Department for several "smash and grabs" from motor vehicles at the St. Louis Church Parking lot on December 22nd during a school function and on Christmas Day during the eleven o’clock Mass.

On the December 28th search Webster Police attempted to locate Mr. Hassett in the building located on Crown Street however, after three hours of searching, it was determined that Mr. Hassett had managed to escape custody after obtaining assistance from residents inside. Located in the residence at that time was a cell phone stolen from a vehicle at St. Louis Church on Christmas Day.

Again on this date, as on the 28th, the occupants of the residence denied that Mr. Hassett was inside, however, they did allow police inside to search the apartment. Upon checking the apartment Officer Robert Larochelle and Sergeant Thomas Ralph located Ryan Hassett inside a closet which contained a smaller closet inside.

Mr. Hassett refused to come out of the closet and refused to show his hands after repeated commands. Ryan Hassett resisted the police officers attempts to get him out of the closet and as a result Webster Police K-9 Officer Aaron Suss told Mr. Hassett to come out of the closet or he would release his dog. Mr. Hassett failed to obey the command and continued to resist arrest. Webster K-9 "Radar" was released and after Mr. Hassett hit and kicked the K-9, "Radar" bit Mr. Hassett at which point he stated he would comply and to get the dog off of him.

"Radar" was ordered to release Mr. Hassett and Officer Suss retreated with "Radar". Ryan Hassett was again told to come out of the closet and to show his hands. Again he refused and when Officers attempted to remove him, he again resisted and attempted to get back further into the closet. Officer Suss again informed Ryan that he would release the dog if he did not come out. Ryan again refused and "Radar" was released a second time. This time officers were able to get Mr. Hassett out of the closet despite his resisting.

Once outside the closet Mr. Hassett continued to resist arrest and he was tased. After being tased officers were finally able to secure Ryan Hassett’s hands behind his back where he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

While in the police cruiser Ryan Hassett attempted to kick-out the cruiser window and also began spitting saliva and blood at the police officers present. Mr. Hassett was transported to the Webster Police Department where he was checked by Webster EMS personnel and transported to Hubbard Hospital for medical treatment.

Arrested were:

Ryan Hassett DOB 2/28/91

lka: 13 Quabog Rd., Oxford, MA

1. Felony Warrants 3x

2. Misdemeanor Warrant 1x

3. Resisting Arrest

4. Mistreat a Police Dog

5. Assault and Battery on a Police Officer 3x

6. Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapon - Bodily Fluids

Thomas Hassett DOB: 11/25/87

29 Old Dudley Road

Oxford, MA

1. Mislead a Police Officer

2. Disorderly Conduct