HARTFORD -- Police officers around the country are seeing an increase in threats since the deadly shooting that killed 5 officers last week in Dallas. Hartford is no different.
Police are investigating several threats against officers, Deputy Chief Brian Foley said Thursday.
"Police officers getting threats is not anything new typically you probably get two or three of those a year that are similar and we handle them in the same way, but to have four happen in less than seven days is obviously an anomaly and something we should be concerned with," said Foley.
On Sunday, July 10, a man already in custody at Hartford Police Headquarters threatened an officer there. Alexander McCann wanted to be reminded of his charges, police said. When the officer told him, McCann became enraged and said he was going to kill the officer "just like the officers in Dallas."
McCann's previous charges included assaulting police officers, so his threat was considered credible, Deputy Chief Foley said.
On Tuesday, July 12, police were called to Farmington Ave at Sisson Ave for a man walking in and out of traffic, throwing items at cars, and yelling that he was going to "kill cops." Police arrested Anthony Cruzado, 20, of Hartford, and charged him with breach of peace.
On Wednesday, July 13, an officer was guarding a prisoner at Hartford Hospital when the prisoner allegedly told the officer "I swear on my grandmother's grave, that as soon as I get out of here I'm going to shoot you in the face" and "I have a bullet with your name on it."
Brandon Mcarthur, 30, of Hartford, threatened to kill the officer's children and blow up his house and car, Foley said. He also allegedly said he would place bombs in the Hartford Police cruisers of officers assisting him.
Mcarthur was charged with three counts of threatening.
Foley said there is another incident under investigation but he cannot release more details at this time.
Meanwhile, departments from all corners of the state, from New Haven to Manchester, are stepping up vigilance and security. The threats have been made either on-line or by suspects with a prior criminal past, who may have already been in custody.
"It's not going to change how we do business," said Foley. "We're not operating in fear, but at the same time we have to handle them appropriately and investigate them."
