Assault on Cops, EMS Follows Call For Medical Emergency: Police

UPPER GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP, PA — A Montgomery County man faces criminal charges in connection with an alleged assault on emergency responders who reportedly were called out to come to the man's aid.

Upper Gwynedd Township Police said they arrested Harry Robert Boutcher, 68, of North Wales, Pa., and charged him in connection with an incident from late last week in which police officers and EMS workers who were called out to assist Boutcher with a medical emergency were instead allegedly attacked by the defendant.

Police said the incident happened around 4:40 p.m. on Nov. 17 when Upper Gwynedd Officer Frederick Lynch was dispatched to the area of North Wales Road and Mendham Drive for a report of a man who appeared to be in medical distress.

Lynch saw Boutcher lying in the roadway and tried to speak with him to see if he was responsive, at which point Boutcher suddenly lunched toward Lynch and began to physically assault the officer, according to a police report.

Additional officers and medical technicians arrived at the scene and tried to offer assistance, and Boutcher took a "fighting stance" against those individuals as well, police stated.

Records from Magisterial District Court show that Boutcher was arraigned on Nov. 18 before Judge Maurice Saylor, who set bail at $50,000.

Bouthcer was sent to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post bail.

He was charged with felony aggravated assault counts as well as misdemeanor counts of simple assault, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

Police also issued a summary citation for harassment.

A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for Dec. 1.

Police did not offer any sort of motive or clue as to why Boutcher allegedly attacked officer and EMS personnel.