Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A Bristol Township man has been charged with throwing a tomato at his mother and then tussling with cops.
Gerald Applegate, 51, of the Levittown section, is charged with simple assault, resisting arrest and harassment. He was arraigned before District Judge John Kelly Jr. on Wednesday and released on $30,000 unsecured bail.
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A police officer was hurt after a handcuffed Applegate pulled away when he was being lead down a staircase in the unit block of Joseph Place Wednesday at around 5 p.m.
The incident is reported to have started because the 51-year-old’s mother refused to lend him her car after she got home from the grocery store, according to court papers.
Applegate’s mother told police her grabbed a tomato and launched it at her, hitting her in the chest. The woman told police the fruit impacting her chest and “hurt a lot.”
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Applegate is also accused of throwing a bottle and a basket at his mother, court papers said.
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When police arrived, the older woman was shaking and had tears streaming down her face.
“She is crazy,” Applegate is alleged to have told officers. “I never touched her,” he added.
Officer John Rink approached Applegate and told him he was under arrest and the suspect refused to get up, court documents say.
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“I’m not going anywhere,” Applegate is reported to have told the officer. He added, “No, I didn’t do anything.”
After being warned, the officer tased Applegate to no affect. A struggle followed and the 51-year-old was finally cuffed, police said.
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When walking to the waiting police cruiser, Applegate pulled away from the officer and caused him to fall and injure his knee, left elbow and thumb, according to authorities.
