By George P. Hassett

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone took on some additional municipal duties last week when he broke up a street fight and alerted police to an intoxicated man who had assaulted a motorist moments earlier, police said.

Curtatone was driving down Willow Avenue on Tuesday, Aug. 12 when he saw David Shea, 45, of 222 Willow Ave., attack another man, police said. The mayor pulled over, stopped the fight and was able to calm Shea down until officers arrived, police said.

When Officer Michael Holland came onto the scene, the victim said Shea had tried to climb in his car and grab him after the victim swerved to avoid hitting Shea in the street. Shea told police he had been drinking “a lot of whiskey” and his pupils were pinpointed, indicating drug use, police said.

Shea gave police two incorrect birth dates and as they tried to identify him, he tried to attack the victim again. He was arrested and charged with assault and battery, furnishing a false name, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, having warrants for receiving stolen property over $250, number plate violations, larceny by check under $250, larceny by check over $250, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.