Cop pepper sprayed in the face at Good Times

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville police officer lost his department issued pepper spray to a drunken patron of Good Time Emporium and was sprayed in the eyes, mouth and throat with it Saturday morning.

Sgt. John Vozella was on a paid detail at “New England’s largest indoor amusement center and sports bar” when he was asked by the staff to escort an intoxicated group of four males and two females out, police said.

Timothy Smith, 23, of 44 Claremont St., Malden, was one of the rowdy revelers and told Vozella he was not going to leave, police said.  Smith then made a motion toward Vozella with his hand, police said.

Vozella tried to handcuff Smith but before he could, Smith grabbed him on his right side near his gun, police said. Vozella reached for his pepper spray, but Smith grabbed his hand before he could deliver a burst of it, police said.

Smith then struggled with Vozella so that the can was pointed toward the cop’s face, police said. Smith fired a burst of the spray into Vozella’s eyes, mouth and throat, disabling Vozella’s vision and breathing, police said.

Smith hit two more people with pepper spray, including one who was not involved with the incident, police said. A second Somerville police officer, also on paid detail helped Vozella subdue and handcuff Smith. While Smith was being handcuffed, he allegedly yelled at his friends to “back off,” police said the group appeared to be contemplating attacking the arresting officers.

Smith was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest. On his way out of Good Time Emporium, he allegedly told police about soon “becoming rich” and that “no one will believe I did anything wrong.”

Comments

[Ron Newman]

Does Natick know what they have to look forward to?

[Mike Hunt]

Who give a damn. They will be out of Somerville soon.

[Old Gent]

It appears as this story was being posted a young man was murdered in Somerville at the intersection of Lombardi Way & Mystic Ave. The victom was from Somerville and the accused killer from Randolph.
Ch 4 stops here but Ch 5 claims they were coming from Good Times.

[Derek]

Has the rumor of Good Times moving to Natick been confirmed? I ride my bike all over this city. For all of the bad wrap that outsiders give "Slummerville" there's only one area I won't go at night (on my bike, or in my car) - Good Time Emporium.

[Police Detail]

It seems awful funny that this particular officer has this detail night in and night out. I thought details went on a rotating basis. Why does he seem to have it all the time?
Something is not right here.

[Yorktown Street]

Hosting "times" for politicians and giving donations to community groups can't buy Good Times a good name. The sooner they leave, the better!

[Kate]

"I thought details went on a rotating basis."

I thought so too. Could it be that he's the only officer willing to take this particular detail?

[brickbottom]

Katie,

I highly doubt that. I believe this officer is in "tight" with the owners.

[Kate]

Ahhhh, so someone needing a detail can request a specific officer? What do you think about that? Might that be a good thing at a nightclub, restaurant, etc. - the officer will get to know the 'usual suspects'.

[Lobo]

Kate,
It might be a bad thing. When the same cop serves a different master night after night, the cop may become one of the usual suspects.

[Kate]

I was referring to the same officer having a detail at the same place -- whether it be a nightclub or restaurant or other business.

[Lobo]

Sorry Kate,

I meant the same thing. When a cop has a second boss (other than the police department) he may be tempted to look the other way on things.

[Kate]

Lobo - Wow, I never thought of that. Good point; I can see how that might happen. Thanks.

[Scatmandu]

Gawd what a shiite-hole you ppl live in: needles, cop attacks, and liberal in power. Why the heil do y'all stay?

[About Time]

This would'nt have happened to any one else but him. He has a way about him.

[Anonymous]

Hey, I've dealt with this cop in the past. He's an ass!! Very arrogant. Doesn't mean he deserved what happened, cuz he doesn't. But he's still arrogant!