Theater Ruckus Ends In Several Charges For Marlborough Man

FRAMINGHAM, MA—A Marlborough man is facing several charges after allegedly yelling at movie theatergoers to go to the bathroom, wrestling with cops and threatening to kill their families.

A young child and woman came up to officers at the AMC Theatre in Framingham on Friday, Oct. 19, and said there was a presumably-drunk man who had yelled at them. She said he was near the soda dispensers yelling at people, telling them to leave and go to the bathroom and other places.

She pointed out the man, who turned out to be Donald Harland, and police saw him yelling while at others who were headed to the movies, said police. Some moved away from Harland to avoid him; others stopped to see what he was doing. Police said Harland smelled of alcohol, slurred his speech, his eyes were bloodshot and he had his pants zipper down.

Police said he told them to go to the bathroom, pointed toward it, and stepped toward officers repeating the word, "really." Officers told him to get out of the building, and he wouldn't, so officers grabbed his arms to escort him, said police. He resisted, and pulled away from the grip, turning toward an officer aggressively. After a scuffle, Harland was taken to the ground with help from theater security.

On the way out, Harland dropped to the ground and yelled profanities, stating that he was going to "kill our families," said police in the report.

Harland, 40, Mustang Ave., Marlborough, was arrested at the AMC Theatre on Flutie Pass and charged with disorderly conduct-subsequent offense, disturbing the peace, alcohol and resisting arrest.

Photo via Framingham police