Police: Salem man was drunk when he grabbed officer's baton at Delmont bar

Delmont police on Tuesday arrested a Salem Township man who they accused of grabbing another officer’s baton at a bar, according to court papers.

Curtis L. Zucco, 56, is charged with disarming a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Police were called at 2:30 p.m. to Ralph’s Tavern on West Pittsburgh Street. Inside, they found Zucco, who appeared “extremely intoxicated,” sitting at the bar talking to the establishment’s owner, according to court papers.

Police said they tried to get him to leave, but Zucco responded with profanity toward the officers and others in the bar. He grabbed the baton a Penn Township officer was holding and started walking toward the policeman in a “threatening manner,” according to court papers.

A Delmont officer used a Taser on Zucco’s back and the suspect continued to resist arrest while on the ground, police said. He was evaluated by medical professionals and then sent to the Westmoreland County Prison, where he is being held on $15,000 bond.

Zucco did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A March 17 preliminary hearing is set.