By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a College Ave. location last Thursday morning on reports of a man having thrown a woman to the ground.

The suspect, later identified as James Moran, was spotted in the backyard of a College Ave. residence trying to hop a fence.

Officers in pursuit told Moran to stop, but he reportedly charged towards them and tackled one of the officers, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

Additional officers arrived on the scene and assisted in placing handcuffs on Moran. While attempting to handcuff Moran, he reportedly resisted their efforts by flailing his arms and kicking his legs.

According to reports, two of the officers were kicked by Moran. Due to Moran’s continued combativeness, one of the officers administered a burst of pepper spray.

A witness told police that she was walking along College Ave. when she observed Moran flailing his arms in front of a woman, the reported victim.

The witness reportedly stated that Moran knocked the victim to the ground and then ran towards a nearby porch. The witness said that she and another witness ran over to help the victim, then called 911 and stayed on the phone with the dispatcher, while keeping Moran in sight.  The witness reportedly told the victim to leave the area so that she would not be near Moran.

An additional witness also stated that he saw Moran flailing his arms in front of victim before knocking her to the ground.

The officers were informed by dispatch that the victim was waiting safely at her house for the police to come. An officer went to the victim’s residence to speak with her.

According to reports, the victim appeared to be a little shaken up and stated that she was walking on College Ave. when she noticed Moran walking towards her. She told police that she attempted to go around him, but he put his arm up in front of her face.

According to the victim, she stated to Moran, “Excuse me,” and tried to continue walking past him. She said that Moran once again placed his arm in front of her and this time he grabbed her by the head and threw her to the ground.

The victim told police that after being thrown to the ground, Moran ran towards a nearby porch and then into the street.

The victim said that she was not injured and did not need any medical assistance.

Moran was transported to the Police department where he continued to be combative and uncooperative, and was later transported by ambulance to the Cambridge hospital to undergo an evaluation.

Moran is facing charges of assault and battery on a police officer, malicious wanton defacement of property, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a person over 60 or disabled.