Cops: Drunk Man Threatened To Kill Police, Demanded Free Food

A drunken New Milford man took his girlfriend's car early Monday, demanded free food from 7-Eleven, threatened to kill police officers and then drank from a cell toilet, authorities said Wednesday.

Concerned about her intoxicated boyfriend's erratic behavior, a New Milford woman called about 12:55 am, Chief Frank Papapietro said. However, Michael Guzman, 23, of New Milford, had taken her car without permission and left the scene by the time police arrived, the chief said. 

Shortly after the arrival of responding officers Sgt. Daniel LaMorges and Officer Nelson Perez, a separate 911 call came in reporting that an employee at the was being threatened by an intoxicated male who had walked behind the counter demanding free food, Papapietro said. The man allegedly placed his hands inside the cash register and threatened to assault the employee if he did not receive food, the chief said.

Officer Frank Haggerty and Oradell Sgt. Kevin Doyle arrived at the scene to assist. The 7-Eleven employee identified Guzman, who was sitting in his girlfriend's vehicle, as the man who had threatened him, the chief said. 

The officers smelled alcohol when they requested that Guzman produce his license, registration and insurance card, Papapietro said. The chief said that as Guzman was removed from the vehicle he became verbally abusive, threatening to break the legs of the officers, before killing them.

Papapietro said that Guzman, resisting arrest, had to be forcibly placed into the police car, where he began kicking the officers and the doors of the car, threatening to kill the arresting officer, Papapietro said.

Police said that Guzman's behavior remained hostile when brought to the New Milford police station. While yelling obscenities, police observed him punching the cell room walls and drinking out of the cell toilet, police said.

Papapietro said that Guzman was charged with drunk driving, reckless driving, resisting arrest and making terroristic threats. Guzman was released on $20,000 bail later that morning.

Perez was injured during the arrest, sustaining an injury to his right knee, police said. He has not yet returned to duty.