By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer on uniformed patrol in the early hours of last Saturday, November 30, observed a man walking along McGrath Highway and determined that he might be intoxicated.

The man, later identified as James McKenna, of Dorchester, then took a right onto Linwood St., which is a common area for individuals to park their vehicle when attending local bars.

As the officer turned onto Linwood St., he observed McKenna walk into the U-Haul parking lot, which was closed for business at that time.

The officer pulled his cruiser up to the area where he last observed McKenna and heard a vehicle door slam shut.

The officer parked his cruiser under the street light and he reportedly observed McKenna open the rear door to a U-Haul van and stick his upper body inside the vehicle.

The officer ordered McKenna out of the vehicle and to come to me, at which time McKenna became verbally combative and was unhappy with the police interaction.

After the officer notified dispatch of his location, he obtained McKenna’s information and learned that he had an active warrant.

While waiting for dispatch to confirm his warrant, the officer observed McKenna remove a can of beer from his pocket. He then opened the can and took a large drink from it.

Once the warrant was confirmed with dispatch, the officer requested the prisoner transport vehicle.

McKenna was placed in handcuffs behind his back as he reportedly continued his verbal tirade until the prisoner transport vehicle arrived on the scene.

While doing an inventory of McKenna’s property, the officer located an additional unopened can of beer and an empty nip of liquor on his person.

According to reports, when the officer removed these items, McKenna reportedly became increasingly agitated.

McKenna was placed into the back of the prisoner transport vehicle, but before the vehicle doors were closed McKenna reportedly spat thru the grated security door onto the prisoner transport officer and yelled “Charge me with that!”

McKenna was transported back to Somerville Police Headquarters and during the booking process reportedly refused to be booked and was placed in a cell.

McKenna was eventually booked on charges of felony daytime breaking and entering of a vehicle or boat, violation of city ordinance open container, and assault and battery on a public employee, and on a warrant charge of assault and battery.