K-9 puts bite on suspect
A Butler police dog put the bite on a suspect who allegedly choked his girlfriend and barricaded himself in his attic before struggling with officers.
A police officer was injured in the scuffle Monday evening on the 300 block of Third Avenue and is expected to be on limited duty for two weeks.
The suspect, Thomas P. Romspert, 25, is being held in the Butler County Prison on $50,000 bail. He is charged with strangulation, a felony, and unlawful restraint, simple assault and resisting arrest, all misdemeanors.
Police were called shortly after 5 p.m. for a domestic dispute at Romspert's house. When officers got to the door, according to court documents, they heard a woman inside repeatedly saying, “Let me go.”
The alleged victim, Kelsie Parker, 23, eventually opened the door. Police said they saw that she had injuries to her arms and chest.
She advised police that the defendant, her live-in boyfriend, was hiding in the attic.
Officers went to the attic and heard Romspert barricading the door, documents said. They ordered him to come out but he refused.
Police said they had to force open the door and deploy K-9 officer Blade.
“As soon as (the dog) entered the room,” according to a police affidavit, “Romspert threw a large mattress at him.”
Blade bit Romspert on the right thigh and took the defendant to the floor. But he continued to resist and refused to give up, police said.
During the struggle, Blade's handler, Sgt. Dave Villotti, injured his ribs and a shoulder.
Police Deputy Chief David Adam said Villotti was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital. He has been placed on light duty for at least two weeks.
Paramedics tended to Romspert's minor injuries at the police station.
Police said they also learned that the defendant was wanted on a bench warrant after failing to appear at a court hearing stemming from a 2016 domestic case involving Parker.
