Man arrested for battery on deputies

A 27-year-old Cudjoe Key man was arrested Monday night after violently resisting arrest, damaging a patrol car and threatening to kill deputies.

Andrew M. LaClair, formerly of New York, was charged with four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, three counts of threatening to kill a law enforcement officer, assault, damage to property, resisting arrest with violence and resisting arrest without violence.

A woman told Deputy Jenna Moeller after LaClair was arrested that LaClair told her he was going to kill her while both were in a car. LaClair said he would kill her and himself by driving off the road. LaClair drove onto the dirt shoulder, giving the woman the impression LaClair would carry out his threats.

Deputy Timothy Oggeri was called to Spanish Main Drive on Cudjoe Key about 10 p.m. regarding the domestic incident. Deputy Oggeri received information that LaClair fled the scene on foot. Deputy Oggeri radioed that information to other deputies. Deputy Oggeri found LaClair hiding shortly thereafter near a canal. Deputy Oggeri ordered LaClair to come out with his hands up. LaClair walked toward Deputy Oggeri while yelling at him. Deputy Oggeri drew his Taser. LaClair yelled that Deputy Oggeri wouldn’t shoot him. LaClair was yelling obscenities. LaClair refused to follow multiple commands. Deputy Jenna Moeller arrived. Both deputies attempted to place LaClair in handcuffs. LaClair resisted by pulling away from the deputies.

He twisted and contorted his body, head-butted Deputy Oggeri and wrestled with both deputies. LaClair threatened to kill Deputies Oggeri and Moeller. LaClair stated he was a Marine. An off-duty Key West police officer arrived on scene and all three officers able to detain LaClair in the middle of the street at that time. The officers had to carry LaClair to Deputy Oggeri’s patrol car. LaClair spit on the officers.

LaClair continued to resist and dented the patrol car. LaClair kicked the patrol car door with such force, it broke and no longer closes properly, causing about $1,000 in damage. Sgt. Jake Brady arrived on scene. Sgt. Brady detected a strong odor of alcohol on LaClair. LaClair threatened to kill Sgt. Brady. LaClair indicated he knew where to find deputies, in order to kill them, referring to the Sheriff’s Office substation on Cudjoe Key. LaClair began banging his head against the partition in the patrol car. LaClair again threatened to kill Deputy Oggeri.

LaClair was taken to jail, whereupon he again threatened to kill Sgt. Brady.